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The most interesting man in the world, the man, the myth, the legend left this place to join his brothers in the grandest of all lodges, Monday, November 19, 2012.

A true man’s man, Skee or Bob, as he was known by his family and friends, came into this life in Newark, NJ to Louise Marzula Ruscansky. Even as an infant, he proved himself a survivor. He was given last rites at birth, but proved them all wrong by living for (according to him) 56 years, give or take more or less years.

First living in Newark, NJ then moving with his mother and father to the mountains of Pennsylvania; he awoke one morning to the sound of waves hitting the beach. They had arrived in Hull, MA.

Like so many young men at the time, he entered the Navy to serve and fight for his country after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was a participant in the second wave of Normandy and later made the invasion of Japan. After his time in the service, he was working in the shipyard in Quincy, MA, where he was told he had a job in Guam. His reply to this was, “Where the hell is Guam?” After many years in Guam, where he started the first scuba diving club, and working on the Islands of Truk, Palau, Chi-Chijima and many other Mariana Islands, he went to Vietnam to set up mechanical programs for the people of this country. He often told the story of having coffee at the America Hotel and watching the military evacuate people from the rooftop of the Embassy. When asked why he didn’t take that picture that is now famous, his reply was, “He didn’t want to go up to his room and get his camera out of his suitcase!”

After Vietnam, he came back to the states and settled in Newport News to work at SOS — Supervisor of Shipbuilding. A year later, he transferred back overseas to live and work in Japan, where his office window looked out at his favorite view — Mt. Fuji. Retiring from civil service, he moved back to the states. Three months later, he got a call to work with the shipyard.

Retiring from the shipyard, he started working more on one of his favorite things, his house, which he would always say was, “The best house on the street!” He enjoyed working in his wood shop, golfing and later in life, kayaking.

He is survived by his wife, Belynda, and a very close friend and neighbor, Nancy G. Garcia. Also surviving are his children, Jinx, B-Bunny, Bob (Ann) Ruscansky of Needham, MA, Mark and his son, Neal (Mitchell) Ruscansky of Hingham, MA; and very close in-laws, Mike and Beth Sheets and Shawn and Loretta Layne, all of Gallipolis, OH; brother, James (Buddy) Ruscansky of Seattle, WA; nephews, Ron (Patty) Ruscansky of Hull, MA, Dicka (Anita) Ruscansky of Grass Valley, CA, Robert (Cheryl) Ruscansky of Hull, MA, Ross Ruscansky of Las Vegas, NV; several great nephews and nieces; and a host of friends who loved and respected him.

He was active in Masonic, joining Charleston Lodge No. 44, Agana, Guam; Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, Valley of Agans, Orient of the Mariana Islands; Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine with Aloha Temple; Lifetime Membership in the Torii Oasis Shrine Club of Japan, and the Kanagawa Shrine Club; Lifetime Membership in Newport News Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Newport News, Orient of Virginia; Life Membership in Warwick Lodge No. 336, A.F.&A.M; and a most honored 32nd deg. Mason.

In lieu of flowers, his wishes are for donations to be sent to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.

The family will receive friends at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Denbigh Chapel, Saturday, November 24, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a funeral service at noon.

Burial to be “where old fighters go after their long hard battles. He will be at peace there with the other warriors, who fought the good battle”, Arlington National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Will McCue, Shawn Layne, Joe Garcia, Morgan Garcia, Jim Porter and James Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Sheets, Brooks Coxton and Dan Staples.

The family would like to thank all the friends and Virginia Oncology doctors and nurses for their support and help during this time of need.

Altmeyer Funeral Home, Denbigh Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyer.com.