Russell "Rusty" Van Baren

He was raised in Mountain View and Salinas, California eventually moving with his family to Hanford in 1967 when his family took ownership of Hanford staple The Golden West Pancake House. He worked as a talented cook and eventual co-owner with his brother Ed Van Baren. After graduating from Hanford High School, while still working tirelessly to feed customers who quickly became friends and family, Rusty studied at the College of the Sequoias, followed by Fresno State, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. This respect and love of learning led Rusty to pursue further academics and achieved a bachelors in education in 1987.

Rusty worked for 26 years as a teacher for the Kings County Office of Education, first as a special education teacher at the Shelley Baird School, followed by teaching at the Kings County Juvenile Center. Rusty enjoyed working with pupils of all ages and enjoyed the opportunities that teaching presented. He retired in 2017 to live at Millerton Lake in Friant, California.

Rusty was blessed with a curious spirit; his many diverse and various interests allowed him to travel all over the country and form lifelong connections to friends he made along the way. He had a love of traveling, cooking, camping, biking, pottery, boating, waterskiing, and most notably he was a lifelong presence in the model airplane scene, even being inducted into the National Miniature Pylon Racing Associated Hall of Fame. He was eager to share any knowledge he had in all his hobbies, and many people were lucky to call him a mentor throughout his life.

Rusty is survived by his wife of 45 years, his best friend, the love of his life Barbara (née Hunger). Rusty is also survived by his son and his daughter in law, Matthew and Hali Van Baren, and daughter Danielle Van Baren. Also surviving is his twin sister Nancy Dixon, as well as sister in laws Esther Van Baren and Bobbie Van Baren. Rusty was preceded in death by siblings Dick, Ed, and Joe Van Baren, his parents Russell and Frances, aunt Creta Strunk, grandparents Harry and Nina Strunk, and Dirk and Vida Van Baren.

Rusty leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love for his children, an insatiable desire to learn and teach across all aspects of his life, and a lasting romance with wife, best friend, and love of his life Barbara. He will be truly missed by all those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association or Alzheimers Associations; both organizations which support causes that have touched the Van Baren family throughout the generations.