To Rusty’s Family and Friends,
I didn't know Rusty very well. I just went to Moonwork when I could get out of work, back a few years ago. I was working far too many hours in order to get by, but Moonwork was a refuge and Rusty was the constant. I knew that no matter what, he was going to do something great and MAKE me have a good time. It was a difficult period in my life and Rusty really helped me, even though he didn't know it. I am shaken and saddened by his passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies and know that Rusty touched and helped many people while he was here.

Allison, I am so terribly sorry about Rusty. It's funny, I've been receiving sympathy notes for the last two weeks in regard to the death of my father and I am firmly convinced there really IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING one can say. But one thing I have learned, when someone says "If there's anything I can do?" ...get t them to do your laundry!!!

With prayers!
Jodi daley

Life is a journey and Rusty made a farther journey than many people do in 80 or 90 years! He had a privilige of living life to the fullest with a great wife, son and other friends and family that helped push him to the top! He had a great life and he made many other lives great too! His laughter brightened everyones day, or at least mine! I might have just been a friend but he was a saint, the way he sang at my grandparents aniversary, the way he made it a party and not just a place with old people and drinks! He was Rusty noone will take his place!

"I heard the news today, Oh boy..." Nat, I never got to meet you. Allsion, I have many fond memories of you and Rusty and Rand and Lewis during those early '80's days at the West Bank ("X-mas" is indelibly etched.)

I first met Rusty when he was assigned to me as resident sound designer for a project I directed. After that I always asked him first to design whatever projects I was doing till I gave up 'cause he was always too busy...

After I left NYC I kept tabs on his many accomplishments from afar - with great pride and affection and a "go Rusty" in my heart.

Rusty was a mensch. He will be missed terribly, and remembered so fondly. I'll always cherish our brief but special collaboration at the project.

all my love to Alison and Nat


Lee Wilkof

"A great while ago the world begun, with hey ho, the wind and the rain. But that's all one, our play is done, And we'll strive to please you every day."
Twelfth Night

Rusty's biggest fans from New Canaan.

GOD BLESS YOU RUSY MAGEE !!!
You filled every life around you with laughter and love and every single minute I was lucky enough to be near you was magic. It really was.
Rusty & I met @ the West Bank in 1982, when my sketch comedy group, Legal Action, became the resident comedy group there with Rand, Lewis and Rusty.
We ruled the world at those "Free Midnight Shows", never knowing quite who or what was going to show up. (What time does the Midnight Show start?!?, Lewis, some were 12:30-45 or...)
Rusty and I performed as a duo act quite often, and he even got us booked up at Yale once, (The Gypsy Room??)
he was glorious, all the room came to see him and wondered when I was gonna get offstage so the mad musical genuis could shine again. ( I have a video of that show buried away that I will now go find and play again and again.)
All the wildest,sweetest memories of my NYC years involve Rusty and the West Bank. 80-85. He made me a better man.
Alison and Nat, you are truly blessed to have such a wonderful sweet generous man come thru your lives, we all are.
God now has the perfect sideman, playing at the Pearly Gates, welcoming us in with that smile and razor sharp humor. I'm gonna ask to hear "New York Romance" one more time...I will always miss you Rusty

Rusty was one of the dearest men I knew in all my years, and the one who had the most vitality, the greatest gift for life. I had the privilege to collaborate with him on many shows, both at Yale and at the ART, but the one I will longest remember is Ubu Rock, not only for t he sassy impudence of the score, but for the memory of Rusty pounding away at the piano like a demented Vladimir Horowitz. He was truly an original, both as an artist and as a man--a warmhearted, ebullient bundle of brilliant energy. Even when he was really sick, at the Belgrader wedding, he still had the energy to bang away at that piano and keep us all laughing. I miss him a lot. I'll never forget him.

Dear Alison and family,
Rusty was a shinning star and his constant smile and wonderful music will never be forgotten by our family. We are so glad we had a chance to know him and his spirit will live on always. Our love and prayers to you. Come and spend alot of time in Shawnee...he found peace here and so will you.
Love to you, Ginny and Charlie and family

What a great man.
He always had time for a smile for me. He made me so glad to have him in my life.
A smooth spirit like his is what makes life here so wonderful.
I will miss him.
Love and pease to you both.
Arthur Brooks