SAEGERTOWN — Robert Clinton Rust, 87, resident of 23385 Amy Road, Saegertown, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Hamot Medical Center, Erie. He was a resident of Woodcock Township all of his life.

Born on June 26, 1921, in Meadville, he was a son of the late DeWitt Rust and Florence Burns Rust. On July 10, 1954, he married the former Rowena Marshall, and she survives him.

Shortly after graduating from Cambridge Springs High School in 1938, Robert entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a pilot. He served as a second lieutenant with the corps during World War II. After the war, he returned home and was a dairy farmer all of his life.

His main passion was flying, which he did until about two years ago. He owned his own plane and had a private runway on the farm, which made it convenient for him to fly on a regular basis. He enjoyed providing people whom he came in contact with the opportunity and experience of flying. Invitations were frequent and it is estimated that several hundred people over the years accepted his gracious offer to fly.

In addition to his wife, Rowena, of 54 years, Robert is survived by three daughters, Heather Bress and her husband, Randy, of Sharpsville, Minnette Clepper and her husband, Gregory, of Woodcock, and Lorraine Price and her husband, Alfred, of Woodcock; a son, Graydon Rust of Colorado; 11 grandchildren, Aaron, Alyse, Nathaniel and Rebecca Clepper; Drew, Mariah and Ian Price; Zachary, David and Eli Bress; and Christina Young; and a sister, Nancy Lesser of Ridgeway.

A sister, Miriam Long, preceded him in death.

Friends may call at Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 and are invited to the funeral there on Friday morning at 11. The Rev. Audrey Loveway, pastor of Woodcock United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Interment will be in Gravel Run Cemetery.

To send condolences, please visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.