Richard Dilworth Rust

Love & condolences from J.B. Holland, living in Winston/Salem, NC. J.B., now 95 years old, & living with assisted living services, had this to say: "Richard Rust was the very best as a person, a Church leader, a friend, & a family man."

Dr. Rust served as Interim Graduate Director the year I was admitted to the MA program in English at Chapel Hill in the fall of 1995. I'll never forget the thrill of opening my letter of acceptance from him. He was unfailingly kind and generous to me and generations of students at Chapel Hill. I really enjoyed taking his Nineteenth-Century American Literature seminar one semester, but I enjoyed even more our conversations over the years. He stayed in touch with emails and Christmas cards. He even became a scholar of the great Irish poet Micheal O'Siadhail the year he lived in Dublin, and we enjoyed talking about Micheal's poetry too after I became an English professor at Baylor. I mourn his passing, but I trust he is with Christ in heaven. My prayers to his loving family.

I will always remember my dear friend Richard. Until we meet again in heaven.

I loved my father so much. He was a man of honor and integrity. He loved our Savior, Jesus Christ. He also spent an enormous amount of time with his family. He always wanted to serve his family and the Church. Also, I was so happy that he was a professor--he thoroughly enjoyed his profession and his students. I am exceptionally lucky that he was my father.

Richard Rust and his family have had a very positive impact on the Gary and Gayle Hatch family. Richard's leadership as a Bishop in the Chapel Hill ward and then a member of the Stake Presidency was excellent. He took advantage of teaching opportunities and was prepared with inspiring and helpful messages.

Grandpa, what can I say. I will miss you. It´s hard to believe you´re not in this mortal world anymore, but I´m glad you are in a better place. Your deep faith and kindness always inspired me to be better! I'll always remember calling you up on the phone and having great talks about some scripture that I was confused about or some other concern I was struggling with. You truly were a steadfast rock for me. I will always love the talks and great friendship we had. You were not just my grandfather, but a hero to me. Your brilliant ability to think outside of the box and to find metaphors and beauty in everything, was something I will truly miss. I already miss you so much...I know we´ll see each other again and then we´ll be able to talk and laugh together again. Until that time, I´ll miss you. I love you Grandpa.

He had such a warm and welcoming love with everyone. I'm grateful I ran into him just a few months ago on temple square. It was brief, but he was so kind. Much love and prayers for the family!

In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
"Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time."
My association with Dilworth spanned about six childhood years but he and his noble family left an indelible mark on my life. Just one brief reunion since those childhood years just a few years ago but it was such a warm and wonderful time. Our prayers are with all the Rust family. Though the emotions are close to the surface, these are the best of times!