Russell “Rusty” Ashbaugh
April 2nd, 1951 - June 17th, 2022
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Rusty's Obituary
Russell “Rusty” G. Ashbaugh, III, passed away at Franciscan Health Center in Michigan City, IN, on Friday, June 17, 2022. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel – 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI.
Rusty was born on April 2, 1951 in Elkhart, IN to the late Russell and Jean (Hansen) Ashbaugh.
Rusty graduated Stanley Clark School in South Bend, Indiana and continued his education at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts where he was a varsity football player and varsity gymnast. He was also active in the mathematics and cinema clubs. After his 1969 graduation, he spent a gap year at Fleming College in Lugano, Switzerland before attending Vanderbilt University. Rusty was a walk on football player his freshman year and graduated Vanderbilt in 1974 with a BA in Philosophy. After graduation he went to work for Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co. where he headed HR and developed Quality Systems. After retirement he moved to New Buffalo, Michigan. He would be seen by his many friends dining out at the Terrace Café or the Bentwood Tavern (Table 23) where he became a fixture. He was a tireless reader and enjoyed the books of Lee Childs, Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman, and Tom Clancy.
Rusty is survived by his three brothers – Shawn (Marilyn) Ashbaugh of Edwardsburg, MI, Hans (Tina) Ashbaugh of Elkhart, IN, and Anthony “Tony” (Susie) Ashbaugh of New Buffalo, MI.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 12 noon, at Sommerfeld Chapel – New Buffalo. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. Visitation with the family precedes the service at the funeral home from 11:00am-12pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com
Rusty was born on April 2, 1951 in Elkhart, IN to the late Russell and Jean (Hansen) Ashbaugh.
Rusty graduated Stanley Clark School in South Bend, Indiana and continued his education at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts where he was a varsity football player and varsity gymnast. He was also active in the mathematics and cinema clubs. After his 1969 graduation, he spent a gap year at Fleming College in Lugano, Switzerland before attending Vanderbilt University. Rusty was a walk on football player his freshman year and graduated Vanderbilt in 1974 with a BA in Philosophy. After graduation he went to work for Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co. where he headed HR and developed Quality Systems. After retirement he moved to New Buffalo, Michigan. He would be seen by his many friends dining out at the Terrace Café or the Bentwood Tavern (Table 23) where he became a fixture. He was a tireless reader and enjoyed the books of Lee Childs, Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman, and Tom Clancy.
Rusty is survived by his three brothers – Shawn (Marilyn) Ashbaugh of Edwardsburg, MI, Hans (Tina) Ashbaugh of Elkhart, IN, and Anthony “Tony” (Susie) Ashbaugh of New Buffalo, MI.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 12 noon, at Sommerfeld Chapel – New Buffalo. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. Visitation with the family precedes the service at the funeral home from 11:00am-12pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com
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