WESTERLY, R.I.
Nichael “Nick” Stephen Rush, 76, of Westerly, RI, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Westerly Hospital in Westerly, Rhode Island. He had been living in Westerly with his wife for the past year and a half. He died from a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was born in Lafayette, Indiana on February 17, 1946 to the late Richard E and late Loris (Shipp) Rush. He grew up in a house in West Lafayette, Indiana, which eventually became part of Purdue University. It was while studying Agronomy at Purdue, he met his wife and love of his life, Catherine Mildred (Weisenberger) Rush. They met on a blind date and were married for 53 years. It was at Purdue that Nick started his career, in 1969 as a Turf Specialist in the Grounds Service Department.
In 1976 Nick and family relocated to Columbus, Indiana to begin a career at Cummins Engine Company. He worked for 22 years at Cummins, opting for an early retirement from his position as Manager of Facility and Grounds Maintenance. The early retirement allowed Nick to pursue his love of parks. Shortly after leaving Cummins, he took a job as the Director of Parks for the city of Columbus in 2013, where he worked for 14 years. He was a certified arborist and the City Cemetery Sexton. He was known to some as “Nature Nick”, a nickname he enjoyed and his grandchildren were especially fond of.
Having lived in downtown Columbus for 45 years, Nick was passionate about the vibrance of the city. He lived in the same historical house on Franklin Street for 45 years. Restoring and enhancing the home was a passion. Every inch of the home was lovingly enhanced by Nick and his wife Cathy. He was on the Board of Directors for Preserve to Enjoy, an organization dedicated to improving the aesthetic of Columbus’ historical district.
Nick was also part of the local Bible Study Fellowship for more than ten years, where he built many friendships and strengthened his Christian faith. He received the “Indiana Sheltered Workshop Employment Opportunity Award” for his work in establishing a collaboration between Cummins and Columbus Developmental Services to employ individuals with mental or physical disabilities.
Outside of work and volunteering, Nick loved to travel. He would spend months meticulously planning each trip, usually to a new location each year. He tried to visit as many National Parks as possible and succeeded in visiting thirty-two of them. His favorites included Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier National Parks. This is a passion he has passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Nick is known to his grandchildren as “Papa”. He was skilled in drawing laughs with his endless supply of jokes, funny voices and interesting songs, such as “Got a Whale of a Tale”. He loved to spend time with his friends and neighbors and he knew no strangers.
Besides his wife Catherine, he leaves behind his children, Brian Rush of Excelsior, Minnesota, Emily Hamm of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, their spouses Kelsea Rush and Marc Hamm; grandchildren, Finn Vandergriff, Madeline Hamm, Ella Rush, Marcella Hamm, Tate Vandergriff, Mia Rush, and Gus Vandergriff; siblings, Cheryl Stafford and Debby Clements.
He also had many nieces, nephews and extended family members whom he loved dearly
He was preceded in death by his loving mother and father Loris and Richard Rush.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Nick’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Columbus, Indiana Parks Tree Fund.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, December 13th at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. with Father Clem Davis officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Burial will be at Columbus City Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with Nick’s family at barkesweaverglick.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
