Stirling Murray Rust III, 1990 PBA Past President and a lifelong Pittsburgher, passed away Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in his home surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born the eldest son of the late Murray and Gladys Over Rust Oct. 31, 1939, he grew up in Squirrel Hill with his siblings, Jim Rust (Jane), Molly Montgomery (Donald) and John Rust (Peggy). After Gladys’ passing in 1969, his father married Elinor C. Hill (d. 2011) and the family grew to include step-siblings, Tim Hill, d. 2017 (Adora), Margot Ball (Hiram, d. 2020), and E. Bruce Hill, d. 2020, and their families. Murray graduated from Shady Side Academy and Lehigh University. While working for Rust Engineering in Brussels, Belgium, Murray met his wife of 57 years, Shirley Irene Bone Rust.
He was the loving father of Robert “Bruce” Rust (Beth) and Richard “Mark” Rust (Michelle) and devoted grandfather of Robert Bruce Jr., Matthew Edward, Rebecca Leslie and Hannah Elizabeth. Murray also loved talking to and spending time with his nieces, nephews and cousins from all of his extended family. In 1972, Murray started his career and company as a home builder in the Pittsburgh area, with projects that included Hartswood Farms, The Village of Shadyside, Washington’s Landing and Summerset at Frick Park.
He was an active member of numerous organizations which included the Pennsylvania Builders Association, National Association of Home Builders, The Pittsburgh Golf Club, Shadyside Hospital, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Chatham University and philanthropic supporter of many local non-profit organizations. Murray had a keen interest in national and local events and devoured newspapers and online content. Murray bled Black-n-Gold and was an avid Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers fan.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday Aug. 13, 2022, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church,5801 Hampton St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. The service will be live-streamed. (www.standrewspgh.org/ or www.facebook.com/StAndrewsEpiscopal). Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC., freyvogelfuneralhome.com).
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (www.standrewspgh.org/stewardship), Chatham University undergraduate scholarship or student emergency funds (www.givecampus.com/campaigns/5141/donations/new), or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2681&mfc_pref=T&2681.donation=form1).