Tom Rust: 1944 to 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Thomas Locke Rust III, better known as Tom Rust, who passed away peacefully on November 6, 2023, at the age of 79, after a long battle with leukemia. He was the third generation to manage Rust Construction, a company that has been an essential part of Northern Virginia’s community since the early 20th century.
Tom took over Rust Construction in 1973 after his dad, Robert Nelson Rust, unexpectedly passed away. Under Tom’s management, Rust Construction built experimental solar homes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Rust Construction developed a reputation for remodeling projects in historic homes throughout Old Town, Alexandria, and other local neighborhoods. Tom took great pride in Rust Construction’s long-standing reputation for quality workmanship and outstanding customer service. A February 2, 1995 article printed in the Washington Post expanded on the family legacy.
Tom Rust’s passing is a great loss to the Northern Virginia community. His contributions to the construction industry, his service to his community, and his commitment to his family’s legacy will continue to inspire a new generation of business leaders and community builders in Northern Virginia and beyond.
