David Rusk, former Albuquerque mayor and son of US secretary of state, dies

David Rusk is remembered for championing urban equity, helping the city acquire land that would become the Elena Gallegos Open Space, and just doing "what was best for the community" during his one term as Albuquerque's Democratic mayor.

Rusk died on Nov. 24 following complications from hip surgery. He was 85.

"He, in my view, was the least political of all the mayors and the one most focused on just trying to figure out what was best for the community," former Albuquerque City Attorney Pat Bryan said.

Among Rusk's accomplishments include helping preserve the KiMo Theatre, promoting public transportation and being the first mayor to promote women to lead city departments.

Rusk was born on Oct. 10, 1940, in Oakland, California, the son of Dean Rusk, U.S. secretary of state under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

David Rusk attended Scarsdale High School in New York before studying economics at the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to work with the Washington Urban League, engaging in civil rights and anti-poverty initiatives before joining the U.S. Department of Labor's Manpower Administration, where he focused on workforce development and employment programs, according to an online obituary.

In 1971, Rusk and his wife, Delcia Bence, moved to Albuquerque where they raised three children and he served as state representative before being elected mayor in 1977. 

Bryan, who was appointed city attorney under Rusk's predecessor, Republican Harry Kinney, said he didn't know if he would have a job when Rusk started his term.

"He said, 'Frankly, as long as you help to keep me in check, that's what's important,'" Bryan said, "'Don't be afraid to tell me news I don't want to hear,' which impressed me a lot because I can assure you that is not what most politicians want from my limited experience."

Rusk was the first mayor to name women as city department heads, former Mayor Jim Baca said. One of those women was Baca's wife, Roberta "Bobbi" Baca. 

"He took risks with people," Baca said. "He trusted them to do a good job and expected it. And, as a result, we got a lot accomplished."

During his one term in office, Rusk championed the modernization of city infrastructure, expansion of public safety initiatives and revitalization of cultural landmarks like the Kimo Theatre, "which he envisioned as a cornerstone of Downtown renewal," according to the obituary.  

Rusk also started Downtown Saturday Night, a weekly summer festival that took place on Central Avenue.

"The prevailing view was that it was not worth going Downtown," Rusk said in a Sept. 15, 2016, Journal article. "I viewed Albuquerque as a suburb in search of a city. You need to have some urban lifestyle in the package."

Rusk was also an advocate and user of public transportation who expanded and improved the city's public bus system. Additionally, he was responsible for Albuquerque purchasing Elena Gallegos Grant lands and  the annexation of West Mesa ensuring the city’s economic health and inclusive growth, according to the obituary.

"Without David Rusk, we would have had residences all the way up the Sandia Mountains because that was all in private hands," said Rusk's friend and mentee, Dave Campbell.

His style of urban planning in Albuquerque led to a post political career. "These actions served as the foundation of his growing career as an urban policy expert focused on the concept of city elasticity, and launched Cities Without Suburbs, an analysis of city elasticity and its impact on social and economic health over 60 years of urban development across the United States," the obituary states.

In 1991, Rusk moved to Washington D.C. and wrote books and consulted on issues of city growth and equity, advising governments, universities and civic organizations across the country.

"... He had a love for government and for the good that government can do, and for the vision that people and government service and senior government service could provide for their cities and their states and their nation," Campbell said.

Rusk is survived by his wife Delcia Rusk and children Gregory Rusk, Patrick Rusk and Monica Rusk.

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.