Professor Louis C. Rus, one of the founding members of Grand Valleys faculty, died at his San Francisco home on February 3. He was 78.
Professor Louis C. Rus taught English, poetry and linguistics classes from 1963-92. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 14, at 1 p.m. at First Christian Reformed Church, 2450 85th St., in Byron Center.
Rob Franciosi, professor of English, remembered Rus as a 'joyful person.'
'He was fun. If you were at a party, he was the kind of person you would want to be next to,' he said.
Rus also loved the theater. Franciosi said Rus would often drive to Ontario for the weekend to see plays at Niagara-on-the-Lake and Stratford.
Rus earned his bachelor's, master's and a doctorate degree from the University of Michigan. He had taught at the University of Wyoming, University of Michigan, Bowling Green State and Calvin College.
Rus received one of Grand Valley's first Outstanding Teacher awards in 1987. At the time, Rus's students called him a 'great teacher who inspires, directs, imparts knowledge and wisdom.'
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and their three children.
