Charles "Rusty" Russell Rarey

Charles “Rusty” Russell Rarey, 80, of Summerville, SC passed away on Saturday October 25, 2025 after a prolonged decline due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Rusty was born on November 24, 1944 to the late Charles Edson Rarey and Hilda Benson Rarey in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Upper Arlington High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Purdue University and a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Rusty was the eldest of two children, and is survived by his sister, KC Bradley.

Rusty was married for 52 years and preceded in death by his loving wife Carolyn Gilmore Rarey. He is survived by daughters Rebecca Rarey Trudeau (Edward) and Deborah Rarey Lindstrom; son Charles “Chip” Rarey (Meredith); and seven grandchildren, Charles “Chase” Rarey, Alexa Rarey Satterfield (Ryan), Rachel Trudeau Hostetler (Benjamin), Cassandra Trudeau, Erik Lindstrom, Kyle Lindstrom, and Lauren Theil.

Rusty had a successful career as an engineer in the steel industry. He became an expert in solving problems related to galvanized and enameled steels. He worked for J&L Steel, LTV Steel, Arvin Meritor, Roll-Coater, and Steel Dynamics. He spent the majority of his career residing in Pittsburgh, PA and then Akron, OH and then later relocated to Carmel, IN and New Albany, IN before finally retiring in Summerville, SC.

Rusty had a deep-rooted faith in God and had always been active in his church community, including serving as a lead usher and leading many small groups. He was an avid reader and routinely studied scripture, which he would often translate from Greek and Latin. He was passionate about learning and helping others with guidance on their course of studies.

Rusty was famous for making statements such as, “you get no extra credit for being right” and “this car stops at every Dairy Queen”, while proceeding to pull into another one despite a half-eaten Dilly bar still in hand. He enjoyed doing jig-saw puzzles and playing board games such as backgammon.

He will be remembered for his unwavering faith, unconditional love, gentle spirit, and sharp intellect.

There will be no funeral or memorial services. The family will scatter his ashes in a private remembrance at a later date.