Morris Nelson "Rusty" Hughes

Morris "Rusty" Nelson Hughes

Naples, FL

Morris "Rusty" Nelson Hughes Jr. passed away peacefully on January 9, 2016 after a long and courageous fight to battle cancer. Rusty was a decorated combat veteran, a diplomat, a husband, father, grandfather, brother and cousin. He was a gentleman. He will be greatly missed.

Born in Humboldt, Nebraska on September 2, 1945 to Calista Cooper and Morris N. Hughes, Rusty grew up in Cuba, Switzerland, Tunisia, Iceland, and France. Rusty attended the Loomis School in Windsor, CT, graduating in 1963, and went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska in 1967 with a degree in Political Science.

From 1967 to 1969, he served as a U.S. Marine Corps platoon commander in Vietnam, where he received two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and the Navy Commendation Medal, both with Combat V designation.

Rusty joined the Department of State in 1970 as a career Foreign Service Officer, like his father before him. He retired with the senior rank of Minister Counselor after a 35 year career. He served as the United States Ambassador to Burundi and the Consul General to St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as diplomatic posts in Cameroon, France, Belgium, the USSR, and Mexico; and as a Diplomat-in-Residence at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rusty spoke French, Russian, and Spanish. Upon semi-retirement in 2005, Rusty worked for the Office of Inspector General inspecting US embassies and consulates in Senegal, Mexico, China, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

In 2010 Rusty became captain of his own trawler, the Cooper, and together with his admiral spent the next four years cruising and having adventures. They completed the Great Loop, cruised to Montreal, to Maine and circumnavigated Lake Superior. He greatly enjoyed skeet and pistol shooting, fishing, and his daily cigar and manhattan.

Rusty is survived by his beloved wife, Betty de Jong Hughes; his two children, Guy (Kristen) of Geneva, Switzerland; Cassie (Christina) of Berkeley, California; grandchild Hans Hughes; three step-children, James (Jen), Joanna (Pascal), and Jason (Shayna); five step-grandchildren Ariane, Andre, Emelie, Courtney, Hailey; and his sister, Mary Solari of Rocklin, California.

A celebration of Rusty's life will take place on February 2nd in Naples, FL. Services and interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery in early summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105. For online condolences, please visit www.FullerNaples.com.