Wilbur L. Bud Rusho 1928 ~ 2011
Wilbur L. Bud Rusho passed away on March 1, 2011, due to sudden illness. He was a Colorado River historian, author, film maker, and beloved husband, father, grandfather and community member. He will be sorely missed. Born in Montrose, Colorado on Sept. 29, 1928, Bud Rusho grew up in austere Depression-era circumstances. He joined the Army at the age of 17. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant, and was stationed mostly in Whittier, Alaska, from Sept 1946 to July of 1948. Using the GI Bill, he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, graduating in four years. Bud met the love of his life, Carole McGee, and they were married in 1953. They had four children. He worked for six years as a Federal Investigator for the Civil Service Commission (now the Office of Personnel Management). Later, he worked as Public Information Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation for 30 years, from 1958 to 1988, working mostly on the Glen Canyon Project and visitor and publicity matters. He was eventually in charge of the Regional Public Affairs office. Even after retirement in 1988, he worked on contract with the BOR to make topical videotapes on BOR projects. He and his family lived in Page, AZ for five years and for the remainder of his life in Salt Lake City, Utah. His passionate interest was Western history, and he was a charter member of the Utah Westerners. As his friends say, he "loved the Westerners as one loves a child." He was instrumental in sponsoring qualified women as members of the Utah Westerners. He extensively edited and organized the journals of Everett Ruess, producing the books "Vagabond for Beauty," and "Wilderness Journals of Everett Ruess." He also wrote "Lee's Ferry --Desert River Crossing," an authoritative book on the historic Colorado River crossing site. Along with his friend, Don Cecala, Bud was a co-founder of Sun Time Productions (www.suntimeproductions.net), where his book and film titles can be reviewed. He is survived by his wife, Carole, his children Patrick Rusho, Rebecca Wallace, Paul Anthony Rusho and Jane Collison, and grandchildren Aaron Watt Rousseau and Michael Collison. He was preceded in death by his grandson Nate Wallace and sister, Lois Borrelli. A memorial celebration will held Monday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m., at Fort Douglas Military Museum Conference Center (the building west of the museum, 32 Potter St., Fort Douglas.) In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the "Utah River Running Archives" The donations should be sent to Roy Webb, c/o J. W. Marriott Library, 295 S 1500 E, SLC, UT 84112. Bud had the "red dirt" of the Southwest in his blood. May his spirit soar over the red rock deserts and mountains of the land he loved.