Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
A sixth generation Oregonian, Rustin R. Kimsey was born on June 20, 1935 in Bend, Oregon to Lauren Chamness Kimsey and Lois Elena (Moorhead) Kimsey. He died at home on April 10, 2015 at the age of 79. .
Educated in Bend and Hermiston public schools and the University of Oregon (B.S. 1957), Rustin’s Christian formation was secured from boyhood at Ascension School and Conference Center in Cove, Oregon. Rustin attended the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1960.
Ordained a deacon and priest that same year, Rustin served churches in Redmond, Baker City and The Dalles. In 1969 he was appointed to the National Episcopal Church’s Executive Council, the governing body of the Episcopal Church between triennial meetings of General Convention.
Rustin was re-elected to the Council twice and served a total of thirteen years. During that time he was appointed to serve as the Episcopal Church’s priest representative on the Anglican Consultative Council, an international council representing 72 million Anglicans worldwide.
In 1977 he served as the Episcopal Church’s Chair of the first Partner’s in Mission Consultation, in which Anglican and Ecumenical partners from around the world listened, critiqued and helped shape the ministry and mission of the Episcopal Church.
Active in community and regional concerns, Rustin helped establish mental health programs for all ages, volunteered at the Regional Training Center for those with disabilities, served on the advisory board of Haven and was appointed by Governor Atiyeh to the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
In 1980 Rustin was elected as the 5th Bishop of The Diocese of Eastern Oregon, and on August 4 he was consecrated at The Dalles High School Kurtz Gymnasium, followed by a gala procession to historic St. Paul’s Chapel on Union Street.
“Old St. Paul’s” was soon to be the spiritual home and administrative center for the Diocese. For twenty years, 59,000 square miles of the sacred turf east of the Cascades was “home” for his ministry to others in the name of Christ….. establishing and strengthening communities of faith to be more open and inclusive, waging battle with inappropriate leadership and abusive authority, enhancing ecumenical and inter-faith relationships, encouraging congregations to become involved in their towns and villages as partners in responding to human need and social justice issues….and reflecting the hospitality of Christ.
As a bishop’s family the world was opened to the Kimsey’s. Journeys to the Lambeth Conference, a once-every-ten-year-gathering of the 900 Bishops of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury, England, exploring the Celtic world of Patrick and Bridget and discovering fresh approaches to ancient truths…all were gifts!!
Rustin served on several boards and commissions for the House of Bishops. The highlight was his chairmanship of the Episcopal Church’s Commission on Ecumenical Relations from 1994-2000. During those years the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church forged an agreement, Called to Common Mission, which brought these two faith communities into full communion.
Rustin retired as Bishop of Eastern Oregon in 2000. In 2005 he accepted an appointment as Assisting Bishop of Navajoland, retiring from that sacred duty in July of 2006. In 2009 Rustin was appointed Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of Alaska until Alaska chose its current bishop in 2010.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gretchen (Rinehart) Kimsey, their children, Sean Kimsey of The Dalles and Bangkok, Thailand (Khing), Megan Jarman of Seattle, WA (Mark), Larry Parlin of Lyons, OR (Leisa, Jerome, and Jordan), grandchildren, William and Lauren Jarman, an older brother, Lloyd Kimsey of Carlsbad, CA, an aunt, Margaret Troedson of Pendleton, OR and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Rustin was preceded in death by a foster granddaughter, Andrea.
A public service of Compline and Vigil will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1805 Minnesota Street, beginning at 8 PM on Friday, April 24 with The Rev. Patrick Bell officiating.
A service of thanksgiving for Rustin’s life and ministry will be held on Saturday, April 25, at 11 AM at Calvary Baptist Church , 3350 Columbia View Drive, The Dalles, OR with the Rt. Rev. Bavi “Nedi” Rivera officiating. Following a luncheon, the burial will take place at the Dufur Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Ascension School Camp and Conference Center, Box 278, Cove, OR 97824, St. Paul’s Memorial Fund, 1805 Minnesota St., The Dalles, OR 97058, Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058, or Mid-Columbia Health Foundation, 1700 E. 19th St., The Dalles, OR.
To plant a tree in memory of Rustin Kimsey as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
