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Alumni Spotlight
William L. Rust
Thousands of people have grown up at their local YMCA, but few linger long enough to make service to the Y their life's work. Former Executive Camp Director William L. Rust is one of the dedicated few, who from the very beginning was influenced by the YMCA and vice versa.
Rusty, as he is more commonly known, began his involvement with the YMCA by taking swim lessons. In 1946, after serving his country in the military, Rusty used his talents to teach swimming lessons and to become a lifeguard.
Later in his career, Rusty attended college at Northwestern University, University of Illinois and George Williams College. During his college years, he continued to work full-time for the Austin YMCA as the physical director. Rusty earned his degree in Health and Physical Education with a Physiology major from George Williams College. Being a native to the Chicago Austin-area, he then continued his work with families, children and colleagues at the Austin YMCA. Rusty soon moved to Elmhurst with his wife Vivian and their three children.
As time went on, Rusty began working with YMCA Camp MacLean in addition to his duties at Austin. In 1955, he worked as director for half the summer of what was then a boys-only camp. Each summer season Rusty moved his family up to Wisconsin and then back to Elmhurst in the fall. The family would experience a wonderful camping atmosphere where they all lived in the "Hollow". His children, Jeff, Gary and Holly participated in the camp programs throughout the years. "In summertime they were in heaven. They loved it," Rusty said. All three later went on to be staff members.
Just like his campers, Rusty's staff members came from the Chicago area. He said they taught a lot of the same activities that are still offered, with waterfront being the most popular. As Camp Director, Rusty said, "The biggest thing is that camp is only as good as its staff. If the staff is having a ball, the kids will have a ball.
Over the years, Rusty started to make different options available to campers. In 1971, the first co-ed and winter camps were offered. In the mid- 1970's, Day Camp for local residents was also created. Outside of adding activities to keep up with the times, Rusty said he didn't notice too many differences in camp over the decades. "As long as you had good staff, camp went great. We had about 75% returning staff," Rusty said.
By 1975, business had really grown and there was a greater need for Rusty up at Camp MacLean than back at the Austin YMCA. So at that time he and his wife moved to Wisconsin to live year-round. "We started more and more weekend groups and had some school groups," Rusty said.
In 1989 Rusty retired and moved to Brown's Lake, not too far from the camp he had worked at for several decades. Six years later he moved to Arizona, where he currently lives. Although far from Chicago, Rusty said he is still an avid Cubs fan, attending spring training games whenever possible. He also keeps busy spending time with family and playing bridge and hearts.
Keeping in family tradition, of his 9 grandchildren and 1 great- grandchild, 3 attended camp last summer. Five of Rusty's grandchildren plan to attend during summer 2005.
Despite leaving camp, Rusty is still actively involved. As a member of the Regional Board of Directors, he participates in the annual meeting. Fund-raising is one of his main objectives and he does a wonderful job raising money for the less fortunate. Rusty said he still keeps in touch with many of the staff members who worked with him over the years and that over $30,000 has been raised because of those relationships. "I think we have a tremendous opportunity to touch alumni. When I first started raising money, it was after I had already left camp."
When speaking about camp today, Rusty has the same excitement for it that he must have had when he started. He said he thinks the new programs are just great. As for the future of camp, "I think the biggest goal is to involve more kids from the western (Chicago) suburban areas. A lot of (YMCA) Indian Guides grew up here and should bring their kids back," Rusty said.
Rusty's influence is and always will be present at camp. Even in retirement, through fund-raising and consulting, his work continues. MacLean and especially those who love camp continue to benefit because of Rusty's dedicated service to the YMCA.
Phone: (262) 763-7742, Fax: (262) 763-9944
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