Paul Ruszler

Paul Ruszler of Blacksburg, VA, passed away on Valentine’s Day. He was born at home in Vigo Co, IN, the youngest of five children of Lloyd and May Ruszler, and grew up working on the family dairy farm where he developed his lifelong love of agriculture. Paul got both his undergraduate and Masters from Purdue University, where he was also an active member of the Purdue Glee Club. He received his PhD from Texas A&M, all in Poultry Science. He served in the US Army, both on active duty and as a reservist; he was immensely proud of this military service, and retired as a Colonel in the Army Reserves. His long career in the poultry industry began in commercial egg production and he later went into teaching and Extension work, beginning with the Univ. of GA at ABAC in Tifton, GA. In 1976, he joined the Poultry Science faculty at Virginia Tech, teaching, doing research and working with the poultry industry all over Virginia. As a Member the VA Egg Council, one of his favorite activities was working at the White House Easter Egg Roll. For many years, he would take his Sunday School students from Northside Presbyterian to DC to volunteer at this fun event. He also enjoyed working with 4H and FFA students at various fairs and judging poultry at the fairs. He was awarded the Eddie Mason Memorial Award by the Virginia Poultry Federation for his work with young people, and received The Greatest Stir Award from the VA Egg Council. In 2010, he was elected a Fellow of the Poultry Science Association in recognition of his years of outstanding service to the organization. A devoted family man, he is preceded in death by his wife Diane Holt Ruszler and his four siblings. He is survived by his long time love, Betty Manus of Blacksburg, his daughters, Karen (Frank) Ertel of Healdsburg, CA and Linda Ruszler of Gaithersburg, MD; his grandchildren, Daniel Ertel of San Diego, CA and Jennifer Ertel of Brooklyn, NY; great grandchildren, Jaxson and Peyton Ertel of San Diego, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he treasured. His memorial service will be held at Northside Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, VA, where he was a long-time active member, on Feb. 27th at 10:30 am and followed by burial with Military Honors at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Christiansburg, VA at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Paul Ruszler Memorial Fund at Northside Presbyterian Church, 1017 Progress St. NW, Blacksburg VA 24060.