Obituary of William C. Rustenburg

William Conrad Rustenburg passed away on the evening of October 5, 2016 at his home with his immediate family in attendance. He was 82 years old. William was born in Medemblik, Netherlands, the son of the late Kurt and Elena Rustenburg. He grew up and was educated in Medemblik and spending five of those years under the Nazi occupation. At the age of 17, William and his family immigrated to the United States settling in Fairmont, West Virginia. He enlisted in the US Army in 1955 and served for 2 years in the 3rd Signal Company. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. He returned home and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree and Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University. He moved to Fairborn, OH in 1962 where he worked for Wright-Patterson AFB and then settled in Burlington in 1971. He had worked for 36 years as an Electrical Engineer at Hanscom Air Force Base. While at Hanscom, he received a U.S. Patent for developing a frequency divider. He worked on radar systems all over the world and was proud to say he was a member of the Polar Bear Club which he earned while working North of the Arctic Circle. William was a humble man who was proud to serve his country in the military and as a federal employee. He was also a perpetual student always seeking to soak in information, learn new skills, languages, musical instruments, and talents. If something sparked William’s interest, he would head off to the library, research the subject, and master the task. He used this learning process for home projects like building decks, televisions, stereos, cable systems, cooking, baking, play structures, and other project around his home. He enjoyed running and took up Tai Chi in his 60’s. He traveled extensively with work, but he and his wife enjoyed occasional trips to Holland where they stayed with family. He was a member of the Arlington Retired Men’s Club and sang with “The Singing Grampop’s”. He enjoyed bowling and for a time was a SHINE volunteer. William met his wife of 53 years, Barbara, while watching a basketball game at St. Peter’s High School in Fairmont, WV. He was a proud father and grandfather. He loved sharing his knowledge and life experiences with them, whether it was about repairing something, history, or teaching a new skill like MORSE Code. He played a very important role in their lives as a father figure, mentor, and role model. William was the devoted husband of Barbara (Prendergast) Rustenburg. He was the loving father of Catherine Rustenburg of Burlington. He was the proud grandfather of Megan Anderson & her husband Nicholas of Rutland, Zachary Davis of Burlington, Chelsea Rustenburg of Oceanside, CA & PFC Joshua Robidoux of the US Army Ft. Bliss El Paso, TX. He was the great grandfather of Sophie & Claire Anderson. He was the brother of John Rustenburg & his wife Patricia of Dayton, OH Louis Rustenburg & his wife Gisele of Sunnyvale, CA, the late Conrad Rustenburg & his wife Sandra of AZ, and late Lobina Bogisch & her late husband Uwe. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 5-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, BURLINGTON.