Rusty Haller: 08.12.1964 - 09.30.2009

Weasel called me this afternoon. He was shook up and very emotional. He told me to go to http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/970208 .

I am still stunned. Our good friend, Rusty Haller, passed away today. He was 45 years old. Rusty and I met on Fur Affinity a year or two ago. I helped him with some digital artwork, like his avatar, and MuscleWolf and I tried to financially help him over this time. I was so thrilled when he got my "care packages" from Blick's art supply. He never asked for much, but he loved to chat with us.

Rusty called me the day his Mom died. We sat on the phone for what seemed like hours, trying to figure out what he was going to do. And he always said that he wanted to become the Artist that he always wanted to be, no exceptions. He WAS famous, in his own way.

When he was about to move to Ohio, we talked at great length. He was scared to go and leave his town of Meriden, Connecticut. But he knew he had to move on. The chapter with his Mom was over, and he knew he needed to start afresh. Even while he was in Meriden, I encouraged him to make sure he got doctor visits. We argued. I insisted. He reluctantly went. He got a better handle on his Diabetes. Being a Diabetic myself, I knew the devastation of learning for the first time that you have it. After that, you learn to control it, step-by-step.

MuscleWolf and I are just sitting here, very emotionally distraught. Weasel's first badge for his FIRST Con was drawn by Rusty. So he has a special bond to the man. Rusty and I were discussing possibly getting him out here for MFF this year.

I never met him in person, but he was dear to us. And now he draws for a Higher Power...

God Bless you Rusty, my friend. I will miss you!