Richard Walter Rusk, 72, of Waldorf, MD, died June 26, 2011, at Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Clinton, MD.

Mr. Rusk was originally from Washington, DC, but grew up in Riverdale, MD. He was a member of the DC National Guard having been discharged honorably. By trade he was a welder and pipefitter for Local No. 602 for many years working at Chalk Point Power Plant, Calvert Cliffs Power Plant, Morgantown Power Plant and later Lake Anna Power Plant in Virginia. After leaving Local No. 602 he became an estimator for a company in Ohio for two years. Upon returning to the area he worked briefly for Capital Welding. He was a member of the Waldorf Elks Lodge No. 2421, the Eagle's Lodge No. 871 in Alexandria, VA and a member of the American Legion Post No. 0227 in Brandywine, MD. He enjoyed boating and building things.

Born November 21, 1938, in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late John Weldon Rusk, Sr. and the late Gertrude Lauretta Renalds Rusk.

Predeceased by his parents; sister, Dorothy King and brother, Harry Rusk.

Survived by his beloved companion of 34 years, Mary Ellen Shelton; step-daughter, Constance L. Shelton of Waldorf, MD; sister, Lauretta (Maurice) Jenkins of Bryantown, MD; brother, John W. (Joyce) Rusk, Jr. of Camden, DE. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 5, 2011, from 5PM until 8PM with an Elks Service beginning at 7PM at Raymond Funeral Chapel, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 11AM at Raymond Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at St. Peter's Catholic Church Cemetery, Waldorf, MD. Pallbearers will be Jim Puley, Billy Seger, Rick Snider, Ralph Todd, Mike Harris and Wayne Lawson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004-1725.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.