By Anita Weier
Northside News
Dane County Supervisor Paul Rusk was loved and respected by many who are mourning his death and fondly remembering his life.
Margo Redmond, a gardening friend, recalled how she waited for him for their 1 pm gardening appointment Oct. 11 and knew there was a problem when he did not show up.
Laura Vogel, a friend who is Paul’s executor, said, “He had a big presence in the community. People need to mourn and it’s hard” with no in-person memorial service, although the Dane County Board had an online memorial at its meeting.
Paul’s mother, Naomi Halverson, reached in California, said she has been heartened by communications from Paul’s many friends in Madison. “I know he was highly respected and admired by a lot of people,” she said. “That helps.”
Rusk, 65, served on the Dane County Board from 2002 until his death. He had a horticulture degree and a master’s degree in public policy from UW-Madison and worked at the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin from 1998 to 2018.
Another longtime friend of Paul’s was Margaret McEntire, who met him years ago at political events. “We bonded over politics and a love of gardening. We just became friends. We had election night watching parties at his house. He was so insightful, and it was fun. He was politically smart and knew who was a showboater and who was the real deal,” she said. “He was dedicated to doing the best for the Northside. He was very involved in getting the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.”
Supervisor Michele Ritt, who worked with Paul on the Dane County Board for seven years, said, “I recall most that he always made time for everybody who asked. He was very dedicated to serving his community. He was very poised, eloquent and thoughtful. He was soft-spoken and gentle but a very strong advocate for his community.”
Ritt worked with Paul regarding the F-35 issue and noise at the airport, as well as PFAS contamination. They also tried to attract more businesses to the Northside. “He was a great, great partner in county board work. He put the time into research and was a great communicator. He was very dedicated to equity issues — racial and women’s issues,” Ritt said. “He was dedicated to having a safe, healthy place to stay in the jail and resources when people enter and leave the jail. He wanted to reform the system, to support people so they would not connect to the system. He worked to make sure as few people as possible were in jail — that there would be alternatives.”
“As chair of the Public Protection and Judiciary Committee for years, Paul was sincerely concerned about people housed in the jail and wanted to see the facility safe,” Ritt said. “The main purpose of a new jail was so people would not have to stay in an antiquated facility, for the safety of people who lived there.”
“I will miss him so much,” she added. “He was my partner on Northside issues. Paul walked in service to the community. I am grateful I had the opportunity to know him and work with him. I’ll miss him greatly.”
Dorothy Wheeler, a former Dane County Board member, also admired Paul’s work on the board. “We are so lucky that Paul Rusk decided to settle in Brentwood on the Northside of Madison, bringing with him his great sense of community, his friendly disposition, and his dedication to fostering major projects on the Northside,” Wheeler said.
“As a member of the Northside Planning Council, he was a leader for building the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. In 2002 he ran for the county board and won a seat on that distinguished body, where he served until his death.”
Wheeler also noted that Rusk took on some tough issues. “He was well respected by his fellow board members for his expertise on issues of importance, and by his constituents of the 12th District for his empathetic attitude and his pragmatic approach to solving problems.”
“I can see Paul clearly in my memory of him, with a grin on his face and a joyous greeting to brighten our days. The Northside of Madison is a better place because Paul Rusk lived in it. He will be greatly missed.”
Another longtime friend of Paul’s was Northsider Lesleigh Luttrell. “His kindness was his gift to us,” Luttrell said, quoting from remarks Paul made at the memorial service for her husband, Dave Schreiner. “Paul had immediately offered to emcee the event as soon as he learned it was being planned,” she said.
After meeting Paul in the 1990s, Luttrell learned there are many ways to be involved in the community. Paul worked with the Northside Planning Council and the North-Eastside Senior Coalition Board on the partnerships and fundraising that made the Warner Park Community Recreation Center a reality.
Luttrell recalled. “He was always looking for ways to connect people with ideas and projects that would benefit the community and those involved. He was a most influential role model for me, encouraging my involvement in a variety of community organizations and projects. While never the loudest voice in the room, he was always informed, willing to listen to others ideas, and respectful of everyone’s experience and expertise.”
Luttrell noted her many memories of Paul at events at Warner Park. “He dropped by the AppleFest fundraisers, which, at his suggestion, were held on the same day as the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance Dane County walk. He attended many, many community meetings and the North Star Awards,” she said.
“Paul often came to meetings of the Sherman Neighborhood with an update on Dane County issues. He was always glad to greet anyone he knew and to meet new folks. He listened with interest and sympathy to personal stories.”
Luttrell noted that Paul’s background in horticulture was symbolized by his gift of a tree that was planted in the traffic circle in front of the Warner Park Community Recreation Center in memory of his father.
“He had a great interest in history and shared stories of visits to historic sites with friends,” she said. “I am so glad I ended my last phone conversation with Paul with a ‘thank you for your service.’ I hope we all keep thanking folks who work for the community, as well as valuing the kindness of friends.”