Rex Rust — finance expert, community leader, athlete — dies at age 52

Rex Dearmont Rust, co-president of Rust Communications, died Thursday evening after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Rex, 52, was remembered for his community involvement, leadership, charitable work and positive, energetic personality.

"It has been a difficult year grieving for a brother and sister-in-law as he struggled against cancer," said Jon K. Rust, co-president of Rust Communications and publisher of the Southeast Missourian. "But throughout, as was his character, Rex sought to make other people laugh. His devotion to Sherry and his celebration of friends has always been remarkable, and it was uplifting to see his affection returned to him over these last months in many, many beautiful ways. Thank you to all who reached out to him -- in letters, videos, messages and prayers. It was meaningful. Rex, more so than anything else, was fun to be around, and he will be missed profoundly."

Born Sept. 12, 1969, he was the son of Gary and Wendy Kurka Rust and brother of the late Robin Rust, Penny Rochelle (Alan) Terry, Gary Wayne (Suzuyo) Rust II, Holly Rust (Richmond) Payne, Wynn Bradford (Kim) Rust, and Jon Kurka (Victoria) Rust.

In 2005, Rex married Sherry Johnson in a ceremony in Maui, Hawaii.

Rex and Sherry Rust pose for a photo at the Cancer Gala on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missourian file

Education and early career

Rex attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and graduated with honors after being named class president his sophomore, junior and senior years. While there, he displayed an athletic prowess that would become a hallmark. He won the Tom Ashley Award, given to the school's top football player, and was captain of the Academy's football, basketball and baseball teams.

In 1992, he graduated cum laude from Harvard, with a degree in economics. He was active in various groups at the university, including the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government, and he also played on the university's baseball team, earning a "Major H" award.

Later, he would spend a semester studying at the London School of Economics.

In 1992, he began work with Smith Barney in New York City. He would go on to work on Wall Street and in private-equity management roles in Chicago and Virginia -- focusing on mergers and acquisitions totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Rex Rust of Cape Girardeau stands with the Tom Ashley Award he won for being named the top football player at Deerfield (Massachusetts) Academy in 1987. Rust, a two-way starter, scored nine touchdowns for the 7-3 team. He is captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams at Deerfield Academy. The Tom Ashley Award is named after a former Deerfield standout.Southeast Missourian file

In February 2001, he and Jon K. Rust were named co-presidents of the family company, while their father, Gary Rust, continued to serve as chairman of the board of the company that owns more than 40 newspapers in eight states, numerous magazines and websites, as well as minority ownership of 17 radio stations. Older brother, Gary Rust II, later joined the company as director of its digital agency, rustmedia.

Community involvement

Rex served in a number of positions with civic, community and professional organizations. He served as president of several -- Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce board, Old Town Cape, Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Boosters board and Inland Press Association board. He served on the boards of American Press Institute, Page Cooperative, state Division of Youth Services, St. Louis Children's Hospital and the Guardians, a group formed to help meet financial needs of families of fallen law enforcement agents and firefighters. A member of St. Louis Young Presidents Association, he also was chairman of the finance committee at La Croix United Methodist Church.

Old Town Cape honored him with its 2020 Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award.

His involvement in another effort was much less heralded.

Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., senior federal judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, recalled Rex's prison ministry.

"There is an incident some years ago when I called Rex to invite him to play golf on a Saturday. He said, 'I can't play,' and then he told me why -- he was due in Charleston [Missouri] to be part of a Saturday ministry at the prison," the judge said. "As good as he was as a civic leader and businessman -- and he was fantastic in those roles, he was an even better Christian."

Rust Communications co-president Rex Rust prepares to throw a ball at the 2019 Semoball Awards on July 13, 2019, at Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau.Southeast Missourian file

Tributes

In recent weeks, community leaders and friends have offered various tributes.

A Dec. 28 letter from the City of Cape Girardeau, signed by Mayor Bob Fox and members of the City Council, hailed Rex's civic mindedness: "You have impacted the future of Cape Girardeau and ensured its success for future generations. Your contributions to the community will impact the lives of generations, and for your innovation, the City will forever be grateful."

Peter Kinder, former state lieutenant governor and state senator, honored him at a Jan. 5 meeting of Cape Girardeau Noon Lions Club, of which Rex was a member. He praised his positive example.

"Thank you for your gift of encouragement. Thank you for your dry sense of humor. Thank you for joining us here at Lions," he said.

John Mehner, former president of Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, said Rex had a dynamic personality.

Rex Rust, right, attends a black-tie ceremony honoring his father in Jefferson City, Sept. 17, 2011. Also pictured are, from left, Jon K.Rust, Gary Rust II and Gary W. Rust.Southeast Missourian file

"I've had the pleasure of working with Rex on several projects and in several organizations. He is a big personality and fun to be around. He may break out into song or he may pause and lead a prayer. Rex and Sherry did many things behind the scenes to help people in this community. I miss Rex tremendously," he said.

John Thompson, interim executive director, Cape Area MAGNET, spoke about his friend's ability to connect with people.

Attending the 26th annual A Cure for Cape Cancer Gala on Aug. 24, 2013, in Cape Girardeau are, from left,Rex Rust, Jon K. Rust, Gary Rust II, Lucas Presson, Shad Burner and Mark Kneer.Southeast Missourian file

"Rex is a handsome rascal, with an infectious smile that he uses to make all who he encounters feel very special. Truly a gift," he noted. "And his humor? Well, let's just say that Rodney Dangerfield doesn't have anything over Rex."

Liz Haynes, director of Old Town Cape, pointed to Rex's community service but said his faith was inspiring.

"Rex's faith in God is absolutely astounding. To be faced with the battle he has had and to remain steadfast in his belief in God has been such an inspiration to me," she said. "I've so admired Rex and Sherry's deep-seated love for one another. What a remarkable union between two extraordinary individuals who are truly the loves of each other's lives! I am forever grateful to have crossed paths with Rex."