Leonard Calvin Rush

Leonard C. Rush, age 79, passed away peacefully Monday, May 9, 2011 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born in Green Bay, WI on August 21, 1931, the son of Calvin and Lucille (Checota) Rush. Len graduated from Waupun High School in 1949 and from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Education. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. The majority of his service was spent at Dugway Chemical Proving Grounds in Utah and the Atomic Nuclear Weapons testing site in Nevada. He was assigned to the 2nd Chemical Weapons Battalion.

Len and Jean Bock met while in college and were married in 1957 in Appleton, WI. They spent 54 great years together in Madison. ""Where can you go when you are already there?"" Len is survived by his wife Jean and 3 children; Michael (Sue) of Apple Valley, MN; John (Angie) of Eau Claire, WI and Anne (Jani Kumpula) of Seattle, WA. His grandchildren are Brian and Kyle Rush and Leah and Joe Rush. He is also survived by his sister Emmy Landaal and her 3 daughters and families of Waupun, WI and a nephew, Ronald Bock of Toronto. He is further survived by cousins and many friends.

Len's teaching career began in Milwaukee where he taught for 2 years followed by 34 years in the Madison Public Schools. He taught 6 years at Midvale School and spent 28 years as a principal at Franklin, John Muir, Jefferson Middle and Orchard Ridge Elementary and Middle Schools. He received a Master's Degree in School Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1963.

Len's family has given him much love and every reason to be a proud husband, father and grandfather. ""Leaving this life knowing your family is happy and successful is most gratifying."" His love beyond family was the joy and satisfaction of his career. Seeing children and staff succeed and enjoy the opportunities given them from an excellent school system and great community was of utmost importance to Len. Len's many friends and acquaintances were a central part of his life. ""To all of these people, thanks for all you have given me.""

Len was involved in a number of educational organizations during his career. In 1961, he was elected vice-president of the Madison Education Association followed by president in 1962, and serving on the board of directors for the following 2 years. During this same period he was a Madison representative on the Southwest Education Association board of directors. He was a member of the National Elementary Principal's Association, the State of WI Principal's Association, the National Middle School Principal's Association, the Association of Madison School Administrators, and the Madison and WI Retired Education Associations.

During and following his career Len received awards recognizing his professional dedication and leadership. In 1964, he was featured in the Wisconsin State Journal's ""Know Your Madisonian"", in 1979 he received the ""Professor for a Day"" award from UW-Oshkosh for achievement in education, in 1989 Len was chosen ""Principal of the Year"" for MMSD, in 2007 he received the ""Legacy Award"" presented by the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools for his contribution to the school district and for volunteer work following retirement and in 2008 the newly remodeled library (LMC) at John Muir Elementary School was dedicated in honor of Len.

During retirement, Len was involved with Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County (RSVP) which provided him great fulfillment and purpose. Len was privileged to be a member of the founding group for the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools, an organization that has been successful in providing supplementary funding to support schools and staff. He served on various boards of directors; Family Services, Madison Urban Ministry and RSVP.

For over 40 years, Len's spiritual home has been Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. He was an active member on various committees, but he especially focused on stewardship for himself and others. The church family gave love and special meaning to Len's life and emphasized his belief of reaching out to the community and the world.

Sports and physical fitness were an important part of his life. He was a loyal Badger and Packer fan and he followed all Memorial High School sports in which his children participated. Len cherished his time swimming whether at Ridgewood Pool, the Princeton Club or Lake McDonald in Eagle River, WI. ""Everyday was a good day for swimming.""

A memorial service celebrating Len's life will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 1pm at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711 with Reverend Winton Boyd officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 27th at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705 from 5pm-8pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711; UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792 or the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools, 455 Science Drive Suite 130, Madison, WI 53711.

The family wishes to express our sincere thank you to Drs. Michael Thom, Tien Hoang, Toby Campbell and Mary Feider and the staff at UW Carbone Cancer Center and Hospice Care, Inc. for their expertise and compassionate care of Len Rush during his 3 � year illness of stage 4 lung cancer.