Page 18 - Robeson Living Summer 2019

Randy Rust Wore Many Hats and

Had Many Titles but By Emily Rust

One was Most Important

Randy and Mary Anne with the grandchildren
The author Flavia writes; “Some people come into our lives,

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever, the same.”

That can easily be said about Randy Rust In 1968, Randy sold the farm and briefly worked in the agri-
cultural industry before embarking on the career that would
As his obituary written by Lisa Rust reads; James Ran- define the next 49 years of his professional life, as a fran-
dolph “Randy” Rust, 86, of Lumberton, transitioned from chisee with McDonald’s restaurants. Randy and Mary Anne
earthly life into the presence of his Lord and Savior on built their first McDonald’s in Richmond, Virginia in 1970. In
Saturday, June 8, 2019. 1973, when McDonald’s Corporation expanded its business
to include restaurants located on interstates, the Rusts built
Randy was born on August 9, 1932, in Connellsville, Penn- the first McDonald’s restaurant on Interstate 95, halfway
sylvania, to Lucy Fitz Randolph and James Frank Rust. At between New York and Miami, in Lumberton, North Caro-
the age of 7, the family moved to the rolling farmland of lina, and relocated their growing family. Over several years
Purcellville, Virginia, the place Randy always considered his business expanded into five restaurants in rural towns.
home. As a youth, he helped to milk cows, drive tractors, Randy enjoyed being his own boss and an active community
and work in the fields of his parents’ dairy farm. It was partner in towns where he operated restaurants. He support-
there that he learned the values of simplicity and integrity, ed athletics and academics generously through sponsorships
and the satisfaction of a hard day’s work. A graduate of and provided advice and support to many valued employ-
Lincoln High School in Loudoun County, Virginia, Randy ees over the years. He also contributed to the national Mc-
served in the Marine Corps for two years prior to return- Donald’s system, serving in leadership positions in his local
ing home to Loudoun County to run all of the operations Co-op, the region, and on the National Operator Advisory
of the farm. In 1959, he married Mary Anne Foster, his Board and as an Ombudsman for the system. He chaired the
loving partner in life and business. Randy and Mary Anne National Equipment Team twice during his career.
would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on
Thursday, June 13. Randy was happiest in service to others, particularly the un-
Page 18 Robeson Living ~ Summer 2019