Post #198268 by ikitnrev on Tue, Nov 15, 2005 4:44 PM

Count me as one of those who is also very saddened by this news. I was fortunate to be able to meet Rusty this past January at the Hawaiian Inn. I liked him, and I could see some common things between us - how each of us could sit removed from the main central activity, and yet enjoy the ambiance that was being created in the room. He was definitely one of those who had a 'Santa Claus' twinkle of kindness in his eye. My favorite memories of him that weekend were late at night on Daytona Beach, when the tide was low, when Pablus and Rusty were strumming their ukuleles -- right about the time when some of the above photos were taken.

At this past Hukilau, on Friday night, well after the Robert Drasnin performance had ended, I walked over to the Cabana to see what was happening there. Even later into the night, I started to walk around to see what else might be happening. I came across one room with an open door, and from inside the room came the gentle sound of a ukulele - so peaceful when compared to the loud music and conversation at the outdoor bar outside. I walked inside, and sat at the bed - Rusty was there, along with Josh from the Haole Kats. They welcomed me, and motioned for me to sit down - and that is where I stayed for what must have been at least 90 minutes, as the two traded ukulele licks, and as others revolved in and out - it was a highly informal, intimate, and impromptu ukulele instruction forum - the musicians played songs, traded chords, and taught new fingering methods. I felt honored then to be in that room, and feel even more honored now.

Before I walked into that hotel room, I took a few pictures, and I decided to share them with you. They capture a bit of what my memories of Rusty will be like.

Pablus, you did a very good thing by inviting Rusty to the tiki events, and allowing all of us to meet him.

As a final thought, I want to share a quotation which I read recently, and it somehow seems relevant now. It is by Steven Levine ....

"If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, whom would you call and what would you say?
And why are you waiting?"

Vern