Frederic E. Rusch

Frederic E. Rusch, 80, of Terre Haute, Indiana passed away on March 26th, 2021 at Union Hospital. He was born in Plymouth, Wisconsin on April 29th, 1940 to Carroll E. Rusch and Marian M. Beisser Rusch. Fred is preceded in death by his parents; Child, Stephen Rusch; Stepchildren, Mike Manderino and Greg Wenzel. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Yvonne Hughes Rusch; Children, Timothy Rusch (Kathy) and Priscilla Wolfe (Jay); Stepchildren, Frank Manderino (Laura) and Kenny Wenzel; Grandchildren, Kelly Cartagena (Salvador), Kenzie Potter (Colin), Lisa Rusch, Jared Wolfe (Sarah-Fiancée), Corey Manderino (Sydney), Kayci Wilderman (Kyle); Great-Grandson, Cash Wilderman; Sisters, Sandy Hofsommer (Don), Peg Hammer (Jim), and Kris Rusch (Dean Smith). Fred lived a family-loving, adventurous life, that touched the hearts of everyone he met. He grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he attended Memorial High School. He then attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire where he Majored in Modified Religion (’62). His life took many turns, including a small tenure at Yale Divinity School to become a Chaplain before making a life-changing move to Fairfield, Iowa. There, he began teaching Humanities at Parsons College and earning an MA in English at the University of Iowa (’66). After Parsons College lost accreditation, his life plans changed again by finding a teaching position in the English Department at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. To provide for his family of now two kids and an attempt secure tenure at Indiana State, Fred completed a Master of Library Sciences from Indiana University (’72). He was awarded tenure at Indiana State and began his research on Theodore Dreiser after being asked by the new department chairman to be a research assistant. Through these studies, he became associated with the Director of Bibliography at the University of Leeds in England. His next adventure developed from there as he began completing his PhD in Bibliography and Textual Criticism from University of Leeds (’84) while continuing his research on Dreiser. His Thesis was on “A Critical Edition of Theodore Dreiser’s The Hand of Potter”). His research led to multiple publications on various scholarly journals. He even became Editor of the Dreiser Studies from 1990-1997 and Co-Founder of the International Theodore Dreiser Society in 1991. By 1997, he also became Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs at Indiana State. Fred had many hobbies and interests outside of academia. Reading was his favorite through the genres of mystery and American history. His love for sports included Soccer, Green Bay Packers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He opened the door in Terre Haute for young athletes as a Co-Founder of the Vigo County Youth Soccer Association. He also became an excellent bowler while being a valued member of the community through the Terre Haute Lions Club for over 30 years. He loved to travel as well. He lived in England for a year while receiving his PhD. In his retirement, he drove cross country multiple times that included stops along the scenic route at various National Parks and historical sites. In total, he saw 46 states. Visitation for Frederic will be held on Tuesday, March 30th at DeBaun Springhill Chapel from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM with funeral services starting at 1:00 PM. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Park will follow. Pastors Bill and Kathy Elliot will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to First Congregational Church at 630 Ohio St. Terre Haute, Indiana 47807.

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