Robert Warren Rust

1928 - 2024

Robert Warren Rust

August 16, 1928 - September 1, 2024

Coral Gables, Florida - With a rainbow shining over his house, Col. Robert Warren Rust USMCR (Ret.) of Coral Gables, Florida, died peacefully at his home on Sunday morning, September 1, 2024, on his father's birthday. He was a steadfast leader in his family and community with a dedication to others and his loved ones. His faith in Christ and his love for his family sustained him and fulfilled those around him as his generosity and care knew no bounds.

Robert was born on August 16, 1928, in Jamaica, NY, to Adolf and Helen (Dauth) Rust. He received his J.D. from the University of Miami in 1954 while working as a City of Miami police officer on marine patrol and remaining in the Marine Corps Reserve. Near the university, he met by fate his beautiful wife Mary Ruth Duncan at Jimmy's Hurricane Drive-in where she worked as a waitress on roller skates after her job at the bank; they married on January 28, 1953. They raised their six children, Benjamin, Lani, Debra, Bonnie, Randall, and Wendy, on Key Biscayne, Miami and Palm Beach.

His career included being a Chief Assistant County Prosecutor, Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, FL, 1963-66; Florida House of Representatives, Palm Beach and Martin Counties, West Palm Beach, FL, 1966-68; US Attorney Department of Justice, S. District of Florida, Miami, 1969-77; and Partner, Rust & Rust, Miami, 1977-89 to retire in 1989. He was integral in the formation of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to check the abilities of police departments. He was a lifelong member of the Republican party and a staunch supporter of veteran republican candidates.

He dedicated almost half of his life as an active and reserve Marine for 41 years, enlisting in 1947 as a private and retiring as a colonel in 1988. In his career, he earned the Award of Merit from the Treasury Department for his service and also a personal letter of appreciation from the director of the US Secret Service for the Pavlick case. As an assistant US attorney in Miami, he intercepted an assassination attempt on then President-elect John F. Kennedy on December 11, 1960. A story less well-known is how Robert Rust arrested Richard P. Pavlick who had planned to suicide car bomb JFK for his Catholic faith. Robert Rust credited Postmaster Thomas Murphy, Secret Service agent John Marshall, and the Palm Beach patrolman Lester Free for aiding in preventing a national tragedy and changing the course of history.

He is pre-deceased by the mother of his children, Mary Duncan Rust and recently pre-deceased by his daughter, Bonnie Lee Rust.

His memory is survived by two sons and three daughters: Benjamin David Rust of Orlando, FL, Lani Lorene Dickson (Irvin) of Alpharetta, GA, Debra Dale Lindström (Olof Peter) of Roswell, GA, Randall Duncan Rust (Debra) of Tallahassee, FL, and Wendy Ellen Rust of Key Biscayne, FL. Not only is he remembered by his children but also his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren for whom he adored and dedicated much of his life providing and caring for.

Robert Warren Rust may have left Earth but his character continues to inspire his family and community. His memory will never be forgotten because of his lifelong dedication to God, his country, and his family. Semper Fi.

In remembrance of her grandfather, written by his granddaughter Mary Ruth Rust.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:

Semper Fi and America's Fund and Media Research Center.

Service to be held at 950 University Dr, Coral Gables, Granada Presbyterian at 11am September 20th.