ROBERT WARREN RUST's Obituary
Robert Warren Rust
August 16, 1928 – September 1, 2024
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. He was a fearless example in character and will be dearly missed by those who had the privilege to know him.
Robert was born on August 16, 1928, in Jamaica, New York, to Adolf and Helen (Dauth) Rust. He grew up in Baldwin, NY, and attended Plaza Elementary School until his parents moved to Manhasset, NY, where he attended Manhasset High School. He graduated from Choate in Wallingford, CT, in 1946 before attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, from 1946 to 1948. He was initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at St. Lawrence University on March 14, 1947. He transferred to the University of Miami in 1949 and received his J.D. degree in 1954. He continued as a Sigma Alpha Epsilon at U.M. where he formed lifelong friendships. He was a member of the International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi. While attaining his Juris Doctor, he worked as a City of Miami police officer on marine patrol and maintained being in the Marine Corps Reserve causing him to briefly pause his studies between 1953-1954. He passed the Florida Bar on February 1, 1954, and gained a certification in the US District Court of Appeals (5th circuit) in 1959. 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 day 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 before moving back to Miami to become the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in late December 1969.
After working as a police officer on marine patrol for the City of Miami from 1953-54, he went on to be an assistant auditor to the First National Bank in Miami from 1954-56; an Associate Attorney at Smathers, Thompson & Dyer, Miami, 1957-58; an Assistant US Attorney, Department of Justice, S. District of Florida, Miami, 1958-61; Associate Attorney, Shutts & Bowen, Miami, 1961-63; Chief Assistant County Prosecutor, Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Florida, 1963-66; Florida House of Representatives, Palm Beach and Martin Counties, West Palm Beach, Florida, 1966-68; Chief Counsel, House Crime Committee, Tallahassee, Florida, 1966-68; US Attorney Department of Justice, S. District of Florida, Miami, 1969-77; and Robert W. Rust, Esq., Law Office, Miami, 1977-89, at which time he closed his law office to enjoy life, his family and travel.
His slogan while running for the Florida House was “Trust in Rust” to reflect his unwavering morals and dependability. He was integral in the formation of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 1967. As a legislator, it was a top priority to support law-enforcement officers and provide additional resources. He also 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 for his service from the Treasury Department and also a personal letter of appreciation from the director of the US Secret Service both for the Pavlick case involving President-elect John F. Kennedy. His other awards also included the Outstanding Legislator award from St. Petersburg Times in 1967, the Fraternal Order Police award from Florida lodge in 1967, the Southern Florida Law Enforcement award for Honesty, Integrity, and Leadership as US Attorney in 1977, and National Executive Board of Federal Criminal Investigators award for outstanding service in 1977.
As an assistant US Attorney in Miami, he intercepted an assassination attempt on then President-elect John F. Kennedy in 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. On December 11, 1960, Pavlick had followed Kennedy to Palm Beach from New Hampshire. The Secret Service alerted a statewide Be On Look Out for Pavlick and his car. This alert only occurred after Rust’s countless, persistent calls to hardware stores in New Hampshire and found a store clerk remembering Pavlick buying 10 sticks of dynamite, a detonator cord, blasting caps, batteries, and a detonator switch, Rust filed a criminal complaint and took Pavlick into custody on the charge of traveling across state lines to blow up a church as well as a second, bomb-related charge because at the time, it was not a crime to threaten the president-elect. (Congress quickly changed that). With Pavlick’s confession and later search of his motel room, Rust found his typed manifesto and suicide note confession leading to his court ordered psychiatric incarceration to a mental hospital. Robert Rust credited Postmaster Thomas Murphy, Secret Service agent John Marshall, and the Palm Beach patrolman Lester Free for preventing a national tragedy and changing the course of history. His selfless service was an example of his character as there was no immediate acknowledgment for saving JFK’s life. In his own words, “He was from a generation that didn’t toot their own horn.”
He was a lifelong member of the Republican party and a staunch supporter of veteran candidates. His memberships included the Florida Bar, Miami Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, National Rifle Association, Navy League, Marine Corps Retired Association (West Palm Beach Chapter President from 1964-1965), Marine Corps League, American Legion, Military Order World Wars, Reserve Officers Association, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Capitol Hill Club, Audubon Society, Rotary Club, The Union League, and Miami University Alumni Association. Colonel Rust was a Founder’s member of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. He gave generously to honor his Marine Corps brothers.
He was also the coach in the early 1960s for his son Ben’s Pinecrest Khoury League baseball team aptly named the Devil Dogs, a Marine nickname during WWI.
His hobbies included boating and fishing with his family on his boat Semper Fidelis, sailing, range and silhouette shooting, ice skating, snow skiing and dog sledding at his Colorado house, and an avid lover of history. Colonel Rust received a gold medal for skating to the Flight of the Bumblebee in the Senior Winter Olympics. The tune Flight of the Bumblebee is evidence of his infectious humor.
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.
Preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Ruth (Duncan) Rust who died in 1981 at age 53. Rust has said many times that his late wife saved his life. He quit smoking the day she died, and he always attributed his longevity to her. His dear daughter Bonnie Lee Rust of Coral Gables, FL, passed away at age 65, sadly the day after his 96th birthday this year. Robert’s father, Adolf Henry Rust, preceded him in 1989 and his mother, Helen Minette (Dauth) Rust in 2003 when she resided on Key Biscayne. Along with his cherished cousins, Frank Hull Shipman Jr. of Boerne, TX, who died August 28, 2019, age 97, and Carol Linda (Shipman) La Pierre of Westfield, NJ, who died May 13, 2024, age 98.
The family of Robert would like to give their ultimate gratitude to the vigilant care team who dearly loved him in between the times that we could not. His caregivers Allison Minnis, Pat Stephens, and Russell Bailey as well as his four healthcare surrogates Wendy Rust, the late Bonnie Rust, Dana Sheldon, and Dr. Stacey Murray who went above and beyond to provide and advocate for his well being. The care team members who were not kin voluntarily gave their friendship to his children and his extended family. Their at-home care and medical care went beyond words as their kindness and humanity cemented their place in our family. Also to Troy and Debbie Register and their staff especially his assistant Sue Victoria who not only aided our family but gave their friendship and support to the Rust family for many, many years.
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.
Service to be held at Granada Presbyterian Church at 950 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20th.
There will be a livestream of the 11:00 a.m. funeral service starting with a prelude of hymns on piano at 10:45 a.m. on the Granada Church YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/nP17ap0X4Uw?si=TkXZJD4-WxfnyuML https://youtube.com/live/nP17ap0X4Uw?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Semper Fi & America’s Fund and Media Research Center
Semper Fi & America’s Fund
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Media Research Center
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