Originally posted Nov. 18, 2002

Rusty,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day. Keep singing and laughing!
Love,
Trish,Jim,Christina, and Anna :)

Originally posted Nov. 18, 2002

Hey, buddy. I'm thinking about you every day.

We had a great time on Saturday night at "the show that Rusty built". And, of course, everybody wished you were there.

I'll see you soon.
Love,
t.

Originally posted Nov. 18, 2002

hey rusty - haven't seen you since we were wee lads in Ann Arbor. I can still remember coming down the hill from Glendaloch to your house on Heatherway to play. I also remember you being quite nervous playing the piano at an elementary school talent show. That seems to have changed a bit! This is a wonderful website and tribute to you from your friends and fans. Our best wishes to you and your family. - Joe

Originally posted Nov. 18, 2002

I love the Sweet Appreciation CD. Alison did a wonderful job organizing the celebration. I wish I could have been there.

I met Rusty when I was an apprentice at Melody Top Theatre in Milwaukee, WI in 1985. He was in "Pump Boys & Dinette's". He's kept in touch all of these years.

Thanks, Alison, for the Sweet Appreciation cd.

Originally posted Nov. 17, 2002

Dear Rusty and Alison,

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEB SITE AND WHAT A WONDERFUL SALUTE. I WISH YOU BOTH ALL THE HAPPY THOUGHTS AND SWEET DREAMS I CAN SEND YOUR WAY.

Hi, Rusty. Good to see you're still thriving. -Ron Peet, aka Reinaldo Garcia

Rusty-

I am so glad that we got to see you yesterday. Know that all of us here at the Project are thinking about you, and sending you our love and peace. We will hear you and your tunes always.

We love you.

Carol

Originally posted Nov. 17, 2002

Rusty and Alison, Great web site. I looked at every goddamm picture in every f'ing gallery. That Nat. Too cute. I remember when he was an infant - holding him in my arms one night at the West Bank. Hold on, I'm having a Sunrise/Sunset moment. Can you hear Eydie singing? Anyway, we ordered the CD. Can't wait. Just want you to know how much we are thinking of you and sending all the love and good vibrations your way. Oy, now it's the Beach Boys. Gotta go. Mwah!

Originally posted Nov. 17, 2002

Rusty:

My favorite memory of you, so far anyway, is your performance as my son in the Hell's Kitchen Sink production of "Das Wolfken"---mainly because misery loves company. And you're great company always and all ways. I just listened to "Sweet Appreciation" again and nobody loves a bald joke more than me, but I can't think of any right now, so here's my current favorite on an entirely different subject:

The baby lion says to the mama lion, "What are we going to do today, mama?" and the mama lion says, "Well son, we're lions. We're the kings of the jungle. We're going to go out on the savannah with the rest of our pride and have an antelope feast---secure in the knowledge that we're the top of the food chain."

And the baby monkey says to the mama monkey, "What are we going to do today, mama?" and the mama monkey says, "Well son, we're monkeys. We're the smartest species around. We're all going to swing from vine to vine amongst the treetops feasting on nuts and berries--secure in the knowledge that we're safe above all danger."

And the baby hippo says to the mama hippo, "What are we going to do today, mama?" and the mama hippo says, "Well son, we're hippos. We're fat, dumb and ugly---let's go to Vegas!"

Take care.

Originally posted Nov. 17, 2002

Rusty: We are counting on you to crash the cymbals in the E'brook band, to kick with your toe from the left wing position (weak side), to shave your shaggy head and win a glorious bet, to hone your act at the other E school, to ad-lib all entertainment at 5th and 10th and 25th reunions, to raise the roof at the Irish show. Get well soon and get back on stage.

All the best,
Bruce (& Kerrie)