Jack Rush
November 08, 2010
Jack Edward Rush, 50, passed away Monday, November 8, 2010, surrounded by family at his home. A Funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2010, at Christ the King Church in Des Moines. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home in Des Moines with a vigil service at 7 p.m.
Jack was born on March 13, 1960, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of James and Roberta Rush. He graduated from Des Moines Lincoln High School in 1978 and attended Central College in Pella where he played football and competed in field events on the track team. During his freshman year, at the age of 19, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was successfully treated and the cancer went into remission. He went on to school at South Dakota State University for a brief period of time to study forestry. The cancer returned and he returned home for more treatment which led to another remission. The cancer returned for a third time while he was studying horticulture at Des Moines Area Community College. The cancer was treated into remission for a third time and Jack was able to work in the horticultural field for several years before cancer returned again for the fourth and final time. I n 1988 Jack received a bone marrow transplant after which he was cancer free.
Following transplant Jack returned to school and obtained a biomedical electronics certification. He worked as a biomedical electronics technician at the VA Hospital in Des Moines and for Philips Medical until last year. For the past several years he has dealt with the side effects from the years of chemo therapy and radiation.
Jack was an avid outdoorsman and he passed his love of the outdoors on to his friends and family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, bee keeping, and gardening just to name a few and he made it a point to involve others, especially his nieces, nephews, and the children of his close friends, in his plans.
Jack was also a self-taught musician. He played the banjo and fiddle regularly with a group of other “pickers” which he enjoyed very much.
Family and friends were very important to Jack. The cabin he built was a destination spot and rarely did a day pass without a gathering of friends or family. To know Jack was to be welcomed in his home. He will be greatly missed.
Jack is survived by his parents James and Roberta Rush; his sister Linda (Ted) Corrigan; brothers Dan Rush and Tim (Kerri) Rush, girlfriend Joyce Hopwood and seven nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Mercy Hospice.
Memorials may be made to Christ the king Church or Mercy Hospice.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Amy (Kline) Hill
09/18/2020
I first met Jack when I was an X-ray student doing a clinical rotation at the VA. His smile and kind brown eyes are something I will always remember dearly! We spent some time together and even ran into each other again after I had graduated and was working at Grinnell Regional when he was there to work on equipment. I have often thought about him and am saddened to learn of his passing. My heart goes out to his loved ones. Such a special man that I feel fortunate to have known and spent time with!
Jeff Conner
02/21/2013
From: Jeff Conner (#79) ALHS
I was deeply saddened when I heard the news of Jacks passing. I first met Jack at football practice in summer of 1975. I was a senior and Jack was a sophomore. Jack was the only sophomore that started on the varsity at ALHS that year.
Jack and I anchored the right side of the offensive line. I have fond memories of Jack as a great friend, teammate and workout buddy in the weight room. We had fun on the practice field, and in games. One of our favorite blocking schemes called for a double team, were jack and I would coordinate a block and see how far we could drive an opposing player. He was a motivation in the weight room, at practice, and at games. I will always treasure my memories of Jack.
I send my thoughts and prayers to the Jack Rush family.
Jean Yoder
11/20/2010
Jack was my patient on bone marrow transplant but he became my friend. On nights when we were not hectic busy, we would sit in his room and talk about life or I'd give him a back rub because he could not sleep. He adopted all us nurses and staff and kept his family at a distance trying to protect them from seeing him at his worst times. That took a lot of guts since his family was so dear to him. That was Jack's way. You did not have to agree with it but when he made his mind up, he was set. He took a job in his final profession without benefits to prove he could do it to the employer so that he could work. I went to 3 of his 5 year reunions. He stopped at my home after I gave birth to my first son. I visited his work at the VA in Des Moines. He visited me a couple years ago when at UIHC for a check up. We shared a birthday. He was a charmer but one of the most "real" people I ever knew. He was mountain man personality that I compared often with the Jeremiah Johnson character. He loved life and nature and family and friends. He found such great joy in his critters. I hope his niece still has the coyote coat he made her. He truly loved his family and friends. I feel honored to have known him and called him my friend.
Deb Heaberlin
11/18/2010
To Jack's family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I first met him about 6 years ago when he was working on some equipment at our office. He certainly was a charmer and we had a lot of laughs! We stayed in contact after I moved to the Iowa City area from Central Iowa and I got the pleasure of seeing him a couple times and catching up when he came to the U for appointments. He certainly loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He would brag about them through and through! Jack will be missed but I know that you all find comfort knowing his body is whole again and he no longer struggles. To God be the glory for His gift of eternal life!
Tina Gedler Bradshaw
11/12/2010
Linda,
My mother sent an email out to our family to let us know of Jack's passing. Please know that you and your folks and the rest of the family are in my prayers.
Dr. David Nordstrom
11/12/2010
I truly enjoyed knowing and helping to care for Jack. His spirit an perseverance in the face of great health related adversity was an inspiration to me and I am sure to those who knew him. He will be missed. Dr Nordstrom, West Des Moines. Jordan Creek Internal Medicine.
Sarah Hamilton
11/12/2010
I can not tell you how sorry I am for you. I so wish Jack and I had had more time to spend together. His time with me up north was special for both he and I.
I loved Jack my entire life, to get to know him again after all these years was priceless for me.
Jack changed my life, at 50 years old. I have seen everything about my life differently since we re-united.
I will see you in a couple weeks, I do not want to lose contact, ever again.
Love Sarah
Ace and Judy Hendricks
11/11/2010
We are so sorry to hear about Jack. Jack was such a unique person. He was the epitomy of an athlete at Lincoln High School... someone that people might look at and say his size was to small to ever be an outstanding athlete at ALHS but they would not be taking into account the size of his heart. Jack was a leader by action and not by words. No one could ever find fault in Jack's efforts on the field and in life. He may have been short in stature but he was a giant in life. In his short life he had found and enjoyed his niche for many years, living in the home he loved and sharing his life and love fo nature with wildlife, friends and family. We always felt so good after seeing and visiting with Jack. His kindness and caring nature exuded from his smile. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
Peace be with you, Jack.
Ace and Judy Hendricks.
alanna kiene
11/11/2010
To the Tim Rush Family:
we are so sorry about your loss. I know you will deeply miss him. we will keep you in our thoughts.
the kiene family
JC Stinson and family
11/11/2010
I just found out today about Jack's passing and have spent most of the rest of the day reflecting on how lucky I am to have called him my friend. We shared many laughs, a few tears, and a ton of memories that I will always cherish. Jack was always there as a friend and I don't know if I will ever meet anyone more determined or tough. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family and I wish I could be there to pay my respects. My entire family thought the world of Jack and I am sure my Mom and Dad will be there in the light with open arms.
Deepest Regards,
JC
Lynn Webb Truninger
11/11/2010
Dear Rush Family,
I had the opportunity to attend school with Jack for many years. We were young back then, but to this day, have fond memories of him giving his all in everything he did. It may have been football, wrestling or track & field... but more importantly, Jack gave his all as a friend. One of the nicest people I have ever known. I am unable to return to Iowa to attend his memorial service, but I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. May you find some peace and comfort in knowing how many people think so highly of Jack. He will be greatly missed.
Curtis Hart
11/11/2010
I will remember Jack as a great friend, teammate, and roommate. I have nothing but great memories of the times spent together at his home, on the practice field, and in college. He was a tireless worker in the weight room, at practice, and at play. It was a joy to be around him.
He was always dedicated to his family, demonstrated tremendous integrity, and he made the time to help out his friends.
Jack also loved the outdoors and nature. A great sportsman who loved to hunt, fish and trap. He is the only person I've ever known who tried to skin a skunk in a dorm room.
May God bless Jack's family and everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.
Jeff Austin and Dan Peitzman
11/11/2010
To jack's family: We are truly saddened by Jack's passing. We knew Jack through Joyce and spent many hours with them. Many fond memories were created. We had the opportunity to spend an evening with Jack in August of this year. We is missed by many.
Curtis Hart
11/10/2010
To Jack's Family:
Roger called me this evening with the news of Jack's passing. All of the Hart family have only the best memories of Jack. Roger and I loved Jack as a brother, and remember our days at Lincoln and Central with him. We could not have asked for a better teammate and friend. He was a tremendous athlete and a tireless worker. We will continue to remember all of the fun we had together.
Even though I moved to San Antonio years ago, I will never forget spending time together with Jack and the entire Rush family when I was growing up.
May God bless you and all those who were priviledged to know and spend time with Jack.
Gary McCoy
11/10/2010
I'm so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I was a classmate of Jack's at Lincoln, and so much enjoyed catching up with him at our 30th reunion in 2008. I remember laughing with him on that summer night and swapping stories of how our lives had unfolded through all these many years. Jack was a tough competitor on the football field, but one of the nicest guys you would ever meet. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to his family. God Bless You.