Robert Rust

Robert Rust, age 73, of Webb, Iowa died on Friday, June 15, 2018 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Webb. Burial will be in the Garfield Township Cemetery in Webb. Visitation will take place on Monday, June 18, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Webb. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements. 

Robert Rust, the son of Noel and Elizabeth “Betty” (Palmer) Rust, was born on August 1, 1944 in Spencer, Iowa. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. E A Rust.  Robert was baptized in infancy and confirmed in his youth.  He remained a life-long member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Webb.

On June 26, 1964, Robert was united in marriage to his long time sweetheart, Linda Anderson.  The marriage was blessed with three children; Belinda, Zach, and Laura.

Bob attended grade school and high school in Webb, where he graduated in 1962. He attended Iowa State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1968.  He then moved to Northern California, where he worked for the United States Forest Service at the Pacific Ranger Station in Klamath, California.  He worked in timber management, and excelled quickly moving up the ranks.  He also received a merit award for his work in the formation of the Redwood National Park.

Bob worked for the United States Forest Service for six years in Northern California. In 1974, his father-in-law retired from farming and Bob moved his family back to Webb.  For the first two years he supplemented his income by working at Del’s Garden Center.

In his free time he enjoyed fishing, bow hunting, and camping. He especially enjoyed his many hunting and fishing trips with his friends. He enjoyed elk hunting in Wyoming, he was fortunate enough to draw a moose tag and landed a moose with his bow. He was a published author in the Iowa Bowhunter Magazine for two of his bow hunting stories.  He also was featured on the front cover for a picture from the stormy tundra of Alaska near the Arctic Circle.  They had to hold the tent down for 36 hours.

Bob was very devoted to his family. He took his family on camping trips every August visiting many of the National Parks. His family was convinced that the car could only go west. He enjoyed his four grandchildren (Jimmy, Noel, Natalie, and Jacob) taking them hunting, fishing, and boating often.

One of Bobs goals was to visit all the fifty states. On their 50th wedding anniversary they visited Alaska completing his goal.

He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Linda Rust of Webb, Iowa; Children: Belinda Rust of Denver, Colorado; Zachary (Jean) Rust of Webb, Iowa; Laura ( Dr. Jeffery) Wittmus of Chicago, Illinois; Brothers Kim Rust of Denver, Colorado; Phil (Dorothy) Rust of Ames, Iowa; Grandchildren; Jimmy, Noel, and Natalie Rust, Jacob Wittmus; and extended family and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Elizabeth. 

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