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Ronald W. Bustin
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Ronald Bustin Obituary
CLIFTON PARK - Ronald W. Bustin, 82, of Clifton Park, N.Y., entered into eternal life at the Hudson Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Ron was the son of the late Rose and Irving Bustin, and was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Donna L. Bustin, after more than 56 years of marriage.
Ron was born in New York City, and received his BA and MA in Russian from the State University of New York at Albany. He was the very first graduate from SUNY Albany as a Russian Major. He also did advanced graduate work in Russian through National Defense Education Act Scholarships at Dartmouth College, Indiana University and at the University of Moscow as a foreign exchange student. He has been to Russia four times, including his honeymoon in 1969.
Ron was most proud of the fact that many of his former students have used their Russian language skills while working for the FBI, NSA, CIA and U.S. Army Military Intelligence. He also enjoyed helping students prepare to enter college and win awards on the state, national and international levels.
After retiring from teaching at Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, where he taught Russian and German for 34 years, Ron and his wife enjoyed travelling, visiting numerous foreign countries, including over 30 cruises. He also enjoyed vacations each summer in Chatham, Mass., on Cape Cod.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Ronald W. Bustin to The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, N.Y. 12205, or to the University at Albany, Russian Department, PO Box 761, Albany, N.Y. 12201.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, N.Y. 12065. Visitation will be held that day in the funeral home, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Interment will be held in Memory Gardens, Colonie.
Please feel free to offer your online condolences by visiting gordoncemerickfunealhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Bustin
6 Entries
robert joseph bodnar
November 14, 2025
I met Ron when he and I shared a room at the State University of New York at Albany for a few days at the beginning of our university studies. He had a very humorous and cheerful nature. I am pleased too that Ron taught at Watervliet high school as I come from Watervliet.
Ron made a great contribution during the Cold War via his students. I was in Army military counterintelligence and stationed in West Germany and Russian military were located very close to us in East Germany. We needed Russian speakers to do our job properly and I knew of Ron's huge contribution to this through his students.
Farewell my friend.
Sharon & Jerry McNamara
November 14, 2025
Ron was a great neighbor and friend to us. He had a very unique sense of humor we both enjoyed. Ron contributed to his community and will be remembered as a quiet, knowledgeable, kind and gentle man who graced the Bentley. All our love and sympathy to Donna and family.
Patricia Barden
November 14, 2025
He was one of the best teachers anyone could have had. He encouraged and instilled excellence. So many of us used the Russian language professionally, or are still Russian speakers, or just have enjoyed the Russian language and literature many, many years after graduation. Simply the best. May his memory be a blessing.
Mickey (Scott) Eisenhauer
November 12, 2025
Dear Mrs. Bustin. Your wonderful Husband was my Russian teacher for 4 years at Watervliet High. Though I am not one of the ones that used my Russian, it was because of him that I was allowed to go to Russia in 1979. He also taught my Brother (Dusty), James V. Scott, who was accepted to West Point and had a minor in Russian. My Brother went on to serve approximately 20 years in the Army Service. I thank your Husband, Mr. Bustin for being very instrumental in both our lives. He will be greatly missed.
Phil Sirigiano
November 12, 2025
Just wanted to offer my condolences to the family. My son took Russian for 4 years at WHS. He said Mr. Bustin was a great teacher and very fair. May you rest in peace Mr. Bustin and may the Lord bless you.
Robert Matthews
November 11, 2025
I remember Mr. Bustin coming to Maplewood Grammar School when I was in the 3rd grade. He taught us through 8th grade.
My condolences to the family of Mr. Bustin.
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