John Rustad, 82, has passed. Born in LaCrosse, WI and spent most of his life in the Madison, WI area, he had moved to North Carolina where family could care for him as he entered into nursing care. He was in the final stages of Alzheimer’s, but died from COVID-19. There is little dignity in death when losing your life to a virus whose path knows no boundaries.
Our Dad was an incredible, soft-spoken, warm and intelligent man with an adventurous entrepreneurial spirit and a fantastic father, raising six children in Monona, WI. He was by all measures a very successful man, and served his community with great pride and honor. He was an influencer, long before social media, influencing many in Madison’s broadcast and advertising community – known in the early days as “Jay O’Day” on WISM radio. With his voice skills he narrated non-commercial projects and voiced commercials which aired all over Wisconsin and beyond.
Since we are all sheltering in place, no in-person celebration will take place in the near future. We have started a Tribute Donation Page with the Alzheimer’s Association – in lieu of flowers or other gifts.
John is survived by his six children: Joan Rustad-Kennedy, John “Rusty” Rustad, Jr. (Nancy), Jean Rustad-Johnson (Joe), Jeff Rustad (Tee), Julie Rustad-Niederkorn (David), and Jim Rustad (Deb), along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all adored him.
“The Making of a Radio and Ad Man: John Rustad”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/271640626671052
https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=617418
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18