Joseph Rusk Obituary
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Joe attended Western Illinois University on a swimming scholarship. He took a few years off to serve in the army then returned to the University. There he met the love of his life, Joan Stevenson McIntire and her son.
He was a teacher in the Chicago suburbs and coached swimming and golf. Joe was an avid golfer. After retiring he was on the golf course every day, weather permitting.
Survivors include his wife Joan, children Jeff (Donna), Paul, Patricia (David), Sandra (Dave), 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a loving daughter in law, Lilli, in addition to his parents and a brother, George. He is also survived by a sister Janet and a brother Richard, in addition to loving nieces and nephews.
No services are planned at this time. His favorite donations were to St. Jude’s and The Salvation Army.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Bill Strein
December 19, 2024
Here is photograph of Joe with his swim team at Bremen High School in Midlothian, IL in the first swim team at our school. Joe Rusk recruited us from every class and the library with the request "raise your hand if you can swim" then would you like to join the swim team?
He was a superb coach and team builder at Bremen and subsequent years at Niles HS. He helped me choose WIU for college asking me the question: Do you want to be a small fish in a big pond (U of Ill) or a big fish in a small pond (WIU)? I chose Macomb - his Alma Mater - and never regretted it. Joe taught me a lot and I only wish I work as hard at practice as he demanded of us. RIP Coach Joe Rusk.
Richard Kieffer
December 15, 2024
Like Glenn Anderson, I have the utmost respect for Coach Rusk. He coached our Bremen High School swimming team from 1959 to 1962. I joined the team as a transfer student in 1960. Under his superior coaching, I made it to the Illinois State Swimming finals as a Junior in 1961.
We had a winning team each year, and in our senior year, we went undefeated to capture the Conference Championship. We were the first Bremen sports team to go undefeated!
Yes, we had talented swimmers, but we would not have been successful without Coach Rusk´s leadership. This is truly the loss of a great man and coach-my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Glenn Anderson
December 15, 2024
I had Coach Rusk in high school from 1959-1962 at Bremen Community High School. I could not swim 25 yards without stopping. By the end of the swimming season I made it to the Illinois State Swimming finals due to his awesome coaching. He also spoke to my parents and encouraged them to allow me to attend Easter Illinois University. Coach also encouraged me to apply to teach at Niles Township High Schools District 219 from which I retired in 2000 after 34 years. We coached and taught together at Niles North High School. I was able to visit Coach a few times here in Florida. I really appreciated all his encouragement through out my career as a coach and educator. Rest in peace Coach Rusk (Joe)
Nargis
December 11, 2024
I remember when I first started working with Joe. it was through him where I met his beautiful wife and continued working with them both. Throughout my time working with them, I had grown to love Joe each and every day. He will be dearly missed.
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Rob Olian
December 9, 2024
My condolences to Joe´s family. I swam on his team at NIles North for 4 years in the late `60s and thought he was terrific. He was a terrific teacher of swim mechanics and a great coach, not only of swimming but of life lessons. May his memory be for a blessing.
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