Ruesink joined IU’s biology department in 1967 at 27. He was part of the Genome, Cell and Developmental Biology program until his retirement from the Department of Biology in June 2012.
Ruesink was raised on a farm near Adrian, Mich. , where his interest in botany and zoology grew from childhood lessons on the farm, according to a release by Roger Innes, professor of biology.
As a child, his father had him carry a lamb on his shoulders to a nearby bridge and back every day to build up Ruesink’s strength, a task that eventually became impossible as the lamb grew, according to the release.
Ruesink attended the University of Michigan as part of the class of 1962, graduating with a bachelor of arts in botany.
He met his future wife, Kathy Ruesink, during his time at the University of Michigan. She is a former academic adviser at IU.
He went on to Harvard University, where he received a Ph.D. in Biology in 1966 and then joined the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, as a postdoctoral fellow.
Ruesink was active in the IU biology department, directing the Masters of the Arts for Teachers program in biology and acting as chair of the Biology Committee on Curriculum and Courses for 34 years, among other responsibilities.
“In biology, Al was an inspiration,” said Clay Fuqua, chair of the Department of Biology, in a statement. “Wise, generous, pro-active, good-natured, insightful and ?industrious.”
His many contributions to the educational mission of biology and to IU, his amazing teaching legacy and profound impact on our best students, his advice for graduate students, colleagues and co-workers alike and his sense of humor are just some of the aspects of Al that will be missed by me and by many others.”
Ruesink is described by Innes as an effective mediator and has served on numerous committees during his time at IU.
His involvement in the IU community and dedication to teaching led to his many awards, including the IU Bloomington Distinguished Service Award in 1990 and the student-given Senior Class Award for Teaching Excellence in Biology and Dedication to Undergraduates in 1999.
IU junior Kathryn Waltman lived on a Forest Quad academic floor last year, and Ruesink was her floor fellow.
“He was incredible,” she said. “He always was willing to give you advice about academics and just like studying. But he also wanted to give us advice on how to make the best of ?Bloomington.”
Early in the spring semester, Ruesink went on leave for his illness , but Waltman said she remembers him as an interesting person to talk with. He would always take the time to sit and listen, ?she said.
“He and his wife had a tandem bike, and they would go everywhere,” Waltman said. “He’d always just say, ‘This is a beautiful place if you’d like to jog or if you like to bike.’”
Ruesink served as a residence hall fellow for 28 years.
In 1999, Ruesink served as Special Assistant for Faculty Relations under former IU President Myles Brand. He served for six years , during which time former IU men’s basketball Coach Bobby Knight was fired.
For more than 30 years , Ruesink, along with his wife, were faculty sponsors of the IU folk dancing club with Al serving as DJ and dance teacher during dances.
