HANK RUST

Longtime Anchorage resident and aviator Henry B. (Hank) Rust passed away Dec. 26, 2004, at home surrounded by family, from complications related to progressive supranuclear palsy.

A celebration of life will be held at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Mr. Rust was a product of the Great Depression. He considered the love of hard work both a necessity and a virtue. As a senior in high school, he and two buddies pooled their savings and purchased an airplane.

Once airborne, he was freed from the economic hardship of his early life and was fortunate enough to work his entire life doing what he loved. Mr. Rust shared his love of aviation with his children.

In 1963, he started Rust's Flying Service at Lake Hood, with a single Piper Super Cub. He became well-known in later years as the "hands-on" owner of a diversified operation of 17 aircraft.

His two sons and daughters-in-law, Todd and Suzanne Rust and Colin and Gail Rust; daughter, Megan Rust, and grandchildren, Jonathan, Anna Christine and Lauren Rust, survive him. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.