Russell "Rusty" Kent Kirkland
November 16, 1961 ~ October 28, 2020
Russell “Rusty” Kent Kirkland,
58, Spirit AeroSystems aircraft mechanic, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Visitation, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 1; Funeral Service, 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 2, both at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Funeral Service will be Live Streamed here, at www.dlwichita.com, by clicking the "Watch Event" button beneath the service information below. Rusty worked at Spirit for 31 years; loved NASCAR; was an avid Chiefs, Royals and KU fan, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Earl and Sarah Lee Kirkland; brothers, Hank Brusso, Chuck Kirkland and Earl Kirkland; sisters, Suzanne Brusso and Kathy Kirkland; grandson, Easton Bales. Survivors: wife, Tracy; sons, Dustin (Jackie) Kirkland and Joshua Switzer; daughter, Skylar (Cody) Bales; brother, Jan (Rhonda) Brusso; grandchildren, Wesley Poore, Bostyn Bales and Reece Bales.
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I had the privilege of knowing Rusty for about 20 years and working side by side with him for the last 8. We worked to design, plan and build the KC46 Airforce tanker and 777X. Rusty was steady in his work ethic and temperament. I really enjoyed working with him, sharing lunches on Fridays and his friendship. He’ll be missed. Rest In Peace my friend.
I am so sorry to see this. Worked with Rusty at Boeing/Spirit. Such a sweet person. RIP my friend.
I remember when Rut and I first became friends. We were at this party and this guy was bad mouthing his own Dad something fierce. Rut told him to shut because I had lost last my Dad not long ago and that I had wished him back everyday. Now that’s a FRIEND!
Uncle Rusty will be truly missed! A wonderful man who worked so hard and loved his family. You will truly be missed, we love you!
While watching Rusty’s service on-line today, memories of working with him on the 777X came to mind. Rusty sincerely cared about the product he was a part of creating. I knew that the input he gave to my design team was valuable so I stressed to the designers to try very hard to incorporate his input. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Rusty and was glad to have known him! Bill Rubbert, Spirit Design Mgr (ret.)
While watching his memorial service, I remembered the day I met Rusty 20 yrs ago. He flew up to Seattle to meet a bunch of misfits on skin change for Boeing. I learned so much working with Rusty. I learned a lot when it came to aircraft be cause of Rusty, always asked him questions when I could. During the Boeing yrs, we evened played on the same softball team. He will truly be missed.