The Manhattan New School, a.k.a. PS 290, published the following story in the February 28, 2003 issue of "MNS Newsflash":

REMEMBERING RUSTY
Rusty Magee, a beloved member of the Manhattan New School family, died last Sunday, the 16th of February, after battling cancer for several years. He was 47 years old.

During his years as an MNS parent, Rusty could be counted on to reduce perfectly respectable adults to helpless laughter, and incite children to antic shenanigans, perhaps because he seemed hardly a grownup himself, always up to some mischief. Rusty was the father of Nat, who graduated in 2001; and while Nat was an MNS kid, there was never a day when Rusty wasn't doing something to make our school a funnier, more musical, more dazzling place.

The man was a natural comedian, a truly gifted musician, and that's how he made his living, as an actor and composer, a standup comic and caberet performer. His professional accomplishments include writing and performing the music for Frank McCourt's "The Irish and How They Got That Way," a part in Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters," and a NY Outer Critics Circle Award." The list is long and impressive.

For us, though, he was Rusty, the man who looked good in any number of wigs. The man who let kids spray paint his head at the Fest With Zest. The guy who made up silly songs about principal Shelley Harwayne and got away with it, like this one, sung to the tune of Streisand's "People (Who Need People):" Shelley...nothing rhymes with Shelley...except smelly....), and a rousing "fight song" for MNS with lyrics as follows: "Manhattan New School/is such a cool school/ P.S. Two-Nine-Oh is the place to Go! Go! Go!" When you hear it, you too, will be convinced that the song needs resurrecting immediately.

He performed at many of our Almost-All-In the-Family benefit concerts, along with his wife, Alison. He was our first and funniest auctioneer. Bidders were choking with laughter and wiping away tears as they waved their paddles. He taught music and chorus to gangs of unruly fourth graders, whom he said nearly reduced HIM to tears. He played the piano at many of our graduations, reducing everyone to tears. Which is pretty much the state we're all in now, missing him.

Several parents are talking about ways to honor Rusty, which may include a music scholarship in his name, a contribution to his comedy troupe, Moonwork, or to the Lakota Wolf Preserve,in New Jersy, which was dear to his heart. Please visit Rusty's website, www.sweetappreciation.com to post a reminiscence or an anecdote or messages for Nat and Alison.

Dear Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Rusty's passing. Our hearts are full and though we did not have the pleasure of knowing Rusty well, we are grateful for the gifts that he so obviously gave our community and the love he gave our friends. He has left a great legacy in his work and the beauty of his family.

Alison, Nat,

I never got to know you. I knew Rusty a long time ago. Back in Angell school in Ann Arbor.

We lost touch after Angell but in the last few years we started exchanging emails.

What I remember best about Rusty is how he could break-up the class with a sly or witty comment.(back in those days we couldn't be crude in class, he'd wait until the playground for the PG-13 version).

Other fond memories were of a sleep-over party in about 3rd grade and Being in Oliver Twist at Angell.

I look back on those days at Angell as a time that I was grouped with some of the most creative and original minds I ever knew, and Rusty was the ringleader.

Rusty for me was a constant source of good humor and kindness in a world not necessarily known for these qualities: off-off broadway theater. His buoyant spirits were always a welcome relief, and I will miss him. Alison and Nat, my heart goes out to you with your loss. Thanks, Rusty...Jay

I saw Rusty periodically over the past 15 years, but whenever we got together he would always make me feel like I was one of his best friends. He made sure he called me by my nickname, as all my closest friends do. He had that knack for making you feel special and... appreciated. He also had that rare gift of being able to translate emotion into music, instantly and effortlessly. He could turn an old upright into a devilish extension of himself. And boy, could he make you laugh. I always enjoyed time spent with Rusty.

I am deeply saddened by his passing. I will remember him with fondness. Condolences to Alison and Nat.

Rusty Magee... where to begin? At the end.His was a most dignified and selfless end, filled with grace.Through his illness and death he has taught me how to live. He has become my teacher, an example as to how to conduct a life.This also goes for Alison and Nat whose courage,kindness and inclusiveness is a model for us all.
I first met Rusty in 1985 at The West Bank Cafe. I will never forget my first visit to the Saturday Midnight Free Show. Walking in and hearing Rusty signing "You stumble down the stairs of the West Bank Cafe. You stumble down the stairs it’s a midnight Saturday". Rusty made an instant impression. I had the good fortune to be able to work with Rusty on The Czar Of Rock And Roll.And I spent many late Saturday nights with Rusty on stage playing blues harp as he did his blues set. Even when Rusty played the blues it was a celebration. He embraced all who came and put smiles on their faces.
My wife Iris and I had the great pleasure of having Rusty, Alison and Nat at our wedding. We had a beautiful ceremony, great food and and an excellent band. Then Rusty sat down at the piano and soon after we had an unforgettable love fest. Looking out at everyone at the memorial and reading all these incredible and deeply felt letters, I see that Rusty had the same effect on everyone he met. He had the uncanny ability to make you forget yourself and give yourself over to him. He was a musical, and… well… an emotional Pied Piper. Everybody he touched went with him on his journey
celebrating life. A remarkable man… A remarkable man with remarkable gifts. At the memorial I was thinking about what Rusty might say of himself I kept coming up with a line from the movie, The Ruling Class with Peter O’Toole. I picture Rusty saying ."I step outside myself, and watch myself, watch myself. I smile, I smile, I smile". We all love you Rusty and we’ll carry you in our hearts and minds in all that we do.
Love, Joe Iris and Walker
p.s. Walker says "thanks Rusty for the Peanut Butter and Jelly Song".

Alison and Nat:

I have been in Michigan for a few weeks now -- I was unable to attend the memorial for Rusty but during that time -- I thought so much about him as I think of him now and his incredible spirit and humor. I wish I could have been there -- I am so glad that this guestbook exists. Returning to it at times brings a lot of comfort -- especially to see how Rusty was so loved.

I only got to know Rusty and Allison a bit through good friends (Jane and Jamie) in recent years. But it didnt take long to see what a great person he was in so many ways.......I wished I could have done more/anything! but it seemed that there was a strong, giving, and devoted group of family and friends that knew him well, who would make all of those trials and transitions go as well as they can......& though I knew him only relatively little I'll miss him much more than that. I havent laughed as much as when I finally saw him with Lou Black in Cambridge a couple of years ago (for the first time?!?! on stage)-- and he was just being him! what a spirit and talent and real person, a rarity......

finally...
Alison, you have been a rock throughout Rusty’s battle. I know that it’s not a role you wanted to play. Who would? But you played it, characteristically, with grit and fire. Fighting for his treatments, his dignity and prodding him to continue living…managing the family, your work and his battle. What an inspiration you had in creating the beautiful evening of Sweet Appreciation. Not many of us will be graced with an evening celebrating our life before we die. What a gift you gave to Rusty…to us all, a gift that carried him and us through his final months…a gift that will carry us forward. Thank you, Alison. You are a fabulous Galser!

Love to you and Nat,
Nancy

continuing...
Rusty was a man of many moods and varied interests. I remember dropping by their Shawnee “chalet” one day to find him entranced by a Lawrence Welk rerun. He was totally incapable of breaking away for conversation. That was Rusty. He’d join Alison and their company after the final bubbles.

Rusty was a sincere and caring friend…so clearly seen in the outpouring of love his fight with cancer brought from his family and many friends. I was touched by his ability to care for and support others even as he fought the biggest battle of his life. So many times in recent months he’d make the time to talk with me about the issues in my life, going out of his way to offer me a bit of wisdom, a hug and his love. Rusty left us with a message, something he said many times,” Love yourself and love each other.” What great advice.