Bill Rusk Flies Us Off Into the Sunset and on to New Adventures!

[SJ]

We had the privilege of flying on Bill Rusk's last flight as a captain on SWA last Friday and a fun weekend in Sandpoint to boot. Bill spent 29 years flying for Southwest, and he was joined by a number of us from Denver to Spokane. The approval for the water cannons came out the day AFTER the flight, but it was a great day to fly and to celebrate Bill.

I know it almost goes without saying what an incredible resource Bill is to so many folks at SuperCub.Org. Congratulations, Bill and thank you for your years of service to us here at SuperCub.Org also!

sj

[SJ]

Bill's 85 year old mom was one of the many dignitaries on board for the flight!

[stknrddr]

Congratulations Billy,
Good luck on your next adventures, and thank you for your continued Super Cub support. I appreciate your help.
John Egan

[JWE]

Congratulations, Bill. Enjoy your retirement. It's not as bad as you might think

[Sikorsky]

There is no way this man will slow down! A true friend. Well deserved.

Zach

[wireweinie]

Congratulations Bill! You now have your choice of any of those 'special' projects you've been thinking about.

Web

[behindpropellers]

Congrats Bill!!

[Scott A]

Congrats! Enjoy!

[gdafoe]

Congratulations Bill! Now that you have all this time () we need to get together this summer in Nampa. Job well done my friend.

[tedwaltman1]

A special day for a very special person. Best wishes for lots of future adventures in retirement! Hearty congratulations Bill. Thank you also for being an exceptional resource for all of us here on SuperCub.org.

[McAlpine]

Congrats Bill!

[BradleyG]

Great pictures Bill.
Congratulations.


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[Bill Rusk]

Thank you Steve, and everyone. WOW......what an incredible, FUN, and great way to go out!! And also very humbling. That so many folks took a HUGE chunk of time (and money) out of their lives to be with me at this moment. The last flight turned into a three day party, and what a great time I had, and I hope everyone else as well.

I can't possibly thank you guys enough. You have made my life so fulfilling. I cherish and value your friendship so very much. THANK YOU!!

More pictures....


Steve and Laura in the Denver waiting to board the last flight. Denver to Spokane SWA flight 2901



Ken and Naomi. I flew F-16's with ken. He is my longest close friend. There were so many Cub folks at the party he made the comment he felt a little out of place because he did not have a cub and had not been to Alaska. It was a pretty funny moment. I did manage to give Ken a front seat ride in my Cub on floats while he was here, and Naomi a back seat ride.


My mom at 85 made it. My sister and her two boys (nephews) as well. Unfortunately my other sister was not able to come for health reasons. She was there in spirit.


My party help did a great job of making the hangar feel warm and decorating it. Mike and Susie helped as well



Our resident medical doctor, Randy and Julie, were there. We have adopted each other as brothers.



I got to choose my first officer for my last flight. I was honored that Garth was willing to keep me out of trouble on the last run. He had to work hard. LOL

[Bill Rusk]

Gary gave a bunch of rides in his beaver and everyone had a GREAT time. He is a great tour guide. Thank you Gary!!!


Rides and smiles. Mona, June, Kimmie, and Julie. Photo by Sherri. Five beautiful ladies. Gary is a lucky man. LOL



I gave a few rides as well, not as many as I should have.



The leaves were at prime, and we were Blessed with a couple of nice days.

[Bill Rusk]

Hopping rides



I think we wore SJ out. LOL


My friend Wanda got a front seat ride. I'm trying to explain how the avionics work.



One last time up the jetway.

Thank you all again. I have been very Blessed to be a part of this group, and to fly for Southwest Airlines.

Bill

[tempdoug]

that last landing bill, did you grease it on?

[jnorris]

Congrats Bill!! Enjoy retirement. I'm sure you'll find something to do!

[skywagon8a]

Congrats Bill, Now the pressure is off, the real fun begins! The next 20 years will go by faster than you think.

[SJ]

that last landing bill, did you grease it on?

It might have seemed so in the cockpit...

[Bill Rusk]

Proof that it was a greaser!!! LOL



Except my First Officer, he gave me a 9.9. The rating system was from Buck Wyndham. Great fun.

[tempdoug]

had to laugh, usually with a audience its tough to even get a 8.5, you did well.

[DJ]

Congrats Bill! I'll bet the Cub will like not sharing you with the Boeing any more.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using SuperCub.Org mobile app

[jrussl]

Congrats, Bill! We all know you have a lot of passions whether they be airplanes or motorcycles. Now you will have time for them all.


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[Mr. Ed]

Congrats Bill. You’ll miss the great job but retirement is groovy!

[WindOnHisNose]

It was such a pleasure and honor to board Bill's last flight as Captain for SW Airlines. What an emotional flight for Bill! It was my first time flying on SW, and it was a pleasurable experience from start to finish.One of the amazing things about this trip was the terrific people who came to celebrate the occasion. We literally sat around Bill's hangar for 3 days, and we enjoyed every moment. He has some really nice friends, many of them Supercub.org people, but what we all had in common was a love for this amazing man. How awesome it was to have our 85 year old Mom on his last airline flight!Congratulations, Bro. A job well done.Randy

[phdigger123]

Congratulations Bill! Retirement is really the beginning of life!

[Utah 12 Driver]

Congratulations Bill, always a class act, I can't wait to see what you do now that you have "Job" out of the way!

[Anne]

Congratulations, Bill! This is a well-deserved celebration and retirement.

Anne.

[fobjob]

Attaboy Bill, I retired 22 years ago and still wonder where it all went. When I was working, I was always tired.
Now I’m re-tired……

[Cardiff Kook]

Congrats!

Your “floats to Alaska” video gave me an item to add to the “bucket list”

[paul111]

congratulations bill what an amazing career. well done but the fun is just beginning. enjoy

[Bassackwards]

Bill, what a way to go out. You last flight filled with friends and family. Cant think of a better sendoff than that. Good luck on the start of another chapter. Im sure it will be great!

[Cub junkie]

Congratulations Bill. Now instead of great responsibilities and decisions as a Capt. there will be days that the most important decision is what's for lunch. My last leg was Anchorage-JFK, the airplane was delayed getting to me 6 hours and I was glad as it cancelled the water cannons, something I wasn't emotionally ready for. I'm sure you won't be wasting your time. Best of luck and health.

[cafi19]

Bill and his co-pilot, Garth.

Bill it was an honor and a priviledge to be a part of the festivities. We know you will do "retirement" right! Keep showing us what we are missing and we look forward to seeing you out flying somewhere fun soon!!!

cafi

[Taledrger]

Congrats Bill!! Welcome to "the other side"!! Being 6 years ahead of you, I can tell you that the flying "fun" has just begun!!

[cubman]

On to the next exciting chapter... Congratulations Bill!

[LMartin]

Congratulations Have fun with your time.


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[Bill Rusk]

THANK YOU ALL for the kind words and best wishes. Been going like a madman for a few days trying to get caught up. A couple more pictures



It was quite the gathering. Thanks to all that were able to come. Me in the background saying thanks



The retirement cake and cupcakes were really good. They were made by a 16 year old. She nailed it!!



Many of you know Christian Sturm. He was on the last flight, and made the party. Great guy!!



Dinner Saturday night. Did I mention it kinda turned into a three day party? Good times indeed.



This is my "Gold Watch". I have had this print for 25 years. Over the years I was lucky enough to get it signed (to me) by every CEO I worked for and my first and last chief pilots.
It has a ton of good memories, and the signatures are from people I admire(d). CEO Herb Kelleher, Colleen Barrett, Jim Parker, Gary Kelly, and finally Bob Jordan. Chief pilot Greg Crum and my last chief pilot is a guy I flew F-16's with at Nellis - Steve DuBraun


Bill