Robert Arthur Stanley “Bob” Rush passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at his home.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Irving and Estelle Greenstein Ruchamkin. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the Wharton School of Business in 1962.
Bob married his wife of fifty two years Elaine Fraid in Montreal, Canada in 1964. Bob was the Executive Vice-President for Campus Sportswear from 1962 to 1991. At the beginning of his career he was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and served as a Private 1st Class for five years. He had never held a gun in his life when he arrived, yet he left basic training as the No. 1 marksman of his platoon.
In 1992 they moved to the Berkshires where they began a new venture in Great Barrington. “Church Street Trading Company” an upscale clothing and antique store was established by Bob and Elaine and thrives on Railroad Street today. In 2013, Bob retired and his only child Hillary took over for her Dad. Local merchants and customers will fondly remember Bob and his dog “Max” whom he cherished.
An avid sports fan, his favorite teams were the Mets, Jets, Rangers and Knicks — in that order. Bob also enjoyed spending time at their home in Delray Beach, Florida. But the true loves of his life were his “Two Girls” Hillary and Elaine.
Besides his wife and daughter, Bob is survived by his dear nephew Emil Lissauer whom he considered his son, his nephew Jay Ruchamkin, his niece Marilyn Ranish and his brother Richard Ruchamkin.
Funeral services for the late Robert Rush will be held Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in North Egremont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory, may be made to the South Egremont Volunteer Fire Department through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA. 01230. To send remembrances to the family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
