Henry "Hank" Rust

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Hank attended Birmingham University School and the University of Alabama. He also worked at the campus radio station and WTBC in Tuscaloosa.

After graduating, Hank was hired by M.D. Smith at the well-established Smith Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked at WNUE in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and WAAY in Huntsville, Alabama — both number one stations in their markets.

Hank was invited to join the staff at WNOE, the New Orleans Top 40 leader, but a U.S. Army induction notice brought him back to Birmingham to join a U.S. Army reserve unit. Through his longtime friendship with Birmingham radio icon Tommy Charles, Hank was hired at WAQY (The Layton & Charles Station) and was later recruited by Jim Taber, Program Director at WSGN, Birmingham's Top 40 leader, to join "The Good Guys" team, where he adopted the on-air name "Russ Knight." Hank was inducted into the Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame in 2016.

Hank went on to a successful career in advertising, joining several top southeastern agencies where he wrote copy for all media and announced for major brands on radio and television worldwide. He later expanded his success through freelance advertising work.

Later, Hank joined the Birmingham Housing Authority, where he was the Section 8 Housing Director for several years. During his time at the HABD, Hank oversaw the operations, policies, and compliance of affordable housing programs, while steadfastly advocating for stable, safe housing for low-income residents, families, and individuals with disabilities.

Hank was known for his brilliance, comfortably fluent in conversations ranging from physics and religion to medicine and music. He will be remembered for his quick wit and love for drawing, drafting and Photoshop. His annual Christmas and birthday cards were priceless and eagerly anticipated by his family and friends.

Hank is survived by his children, Genie Rust Deusner, Leigh Rust Richardson, Bryan Jennings Rust, LaShonda Watson Maden, Antoine Maden, and his grandchildren, Edwin Earl Deusner IV, Shelby Leigh Deusner, Ava Holland Richardson, Corinne Louise Richardson, Kori Watson, Lyriq Watson, London Maden, Adrien Maden, Antonio Maden, Alexis Maden, and Octavia Woods. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Mooar Rust and Helen Stringfellow Rust, and his wife Ann Maden.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Friday, March 13th, at Elmwood Cemetery.