Rusty’s story is about what happens when compassion and purpose endure, even through homelessness, violence, and serious illness.
He was raised in a loving, service-oriented family where compassion, faith, and responsibility were everyday values. Those early lessons shaped a man known for his generosity, determination, and deep commitment to others, even during his own hardest seasons.
From 1974 to 1978, Rusty served in the military, an experience that strengthened his sense of duty, resilience, and care for those around him. After his service, he continued helping others as a Logistics Officer with the Red Cross and built a life rooted in community involvement. He later married and became a proud father to his daughter, Genny.
In 2008, after the end of his 22-year marriage, Rusty faced severe financial hardship and experienced homelessness for the first time. Even then, he did not turn inward. Instead, he continued serving others, hosting informal gatherings that became known as Rusty’s Barstool Ministries. Through prayer, conversation, and connection, he brought hope into local bars, shelters, and community spaces. Rusty believed deeply in meeting people where they were and walking alongside them without judgment.
After regaining stable housing, Rusty encountered a devastating series of setbacks. He was the victim of multiple random violent assaults that caused traumatic brain injuries and long-term health complications. Eventually, doctors placed him on permanent disability.
As hospitalizations increased and he lost his job, Rusty also received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. His caretaker and roommate could no longer provide the support he needed, leaving Rusty responsible for rent he could not afford. He was evicted and once again found himself without housing.
Rusty turned to COTS, where he quickly became a familiar and respected presence. Even while living in the shelter system, he continued his ministry, holding prayer gatherings outside the facility and offering encouragement to fellow residents. Staff and neighbors noticed how naturally he looked out for others, often putting their needs before his own. “All [of] my case managers have been great to me. They’ve always encouraged me and helped me move forward, and I appreciated it, I really do.”
After a brief interruption, Rusty returned to COTS and continued his housing journey. Over approximately eighteen months, he moved between the main shelter and People’s Village, qualifying for multiple housing opportunities and continuing to inspire those around him.
Eventually, the paperwork was completed, and Rusty was able to move into a stable shared home in Cloverdale. He has now lived there for more than a year and has temporarily overcome his cancer diagnosis. While he is grateful for this stability, Rusty continues to face serious health challenges and is planning to move into a single-person residence with a live-in caregiver approved by his medical team to support his ongoing needs and prepare for the possibility of the cancer returning.
Rusty’s story is not only about surviving homelessness. It is a story of character, resilience through repeated loss, and compassion that never wavers. Wherever Rusty has lived, whether in a shelter, a tiny home, or a shared house, he has made it a place of care, connection, and hope.
“They [COTS] made an everlasting impression in my life. The condition I was in when I came in there, I had terminal cancer and they didn’t think I would make it the next two years. I mean, I was in a wheelchair and a skeleton from weight loss. But they stuck with me. They helped me and always encouraged me to get up and eat. The kitchen staff [and the kitchen volunteers], they all supported me. And it was what I needed, the encouragement to keep on going to fight on and on and on. And so you guys made a great impression on me.”