Former longtime Technical Services employee John Rustenburg is being remembered for his innovation in the Electronics Shop and his generosity in life. He passed away Nov. 28 at the age of 76.

Rustenburg was the first electronics technician hired by shop founder Jim Ross in 1968 to form what is now the Technical Services — Electronics Shop. Rustenburg supervised the shop from 1994 until his retirement in 2001.

He was an integral part of establishing the Faculty of Mathematics and Science technical shops as a major contributor in scientific research equipment design and repair.

“John was not only an accomplished electronics technician, but his diversity in scientific knowledge also made him the go-to person for faculty, staff and fellow electronic technicians and machinists,” said Tom MacDonald, Electronics Shop Supervisor.

Bob Morrison (left) and John Rustenburg stand in front of Rustenburg’s family tractor, a rare 1952 Massey Harris Pony.

Rustenburg’s name was cited as a co-author in multiple scientific journals throughout his 33-year career at Brock University.

He was proud to have developed and manufactured a piece of electronic equipment that was used in the health-care field for heart transplants. The Illuminator was the first of its kind in the world, providing a stable light source that enabled high-resolution measurements for medical imaging.

Rustenburg was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Ontario in 1950 with his family. He is survived by brothers Samuel and Johannes and sisters Jacoba and Claudia. He studied at McMaster University before beginning his career at Brock.

“You could not have a better and finer friend than John,” said longtime friend Bob Morrison. “He was extremely giving, kind, tenacious, animal loving, funny and just one of those people who no matter how intelligent he was, was still a big kid at heart.”

In recognition of John’s outstanding contributions to the University over his more than 30-year career, he was awarded the President’s Distinguished Service Award for Staff in 1998.

“His generosity to give both financially and of himself is what most people will truly remember of him,” said Macdonald. Rustenburg supported many University fundraising campaigns and in 1998, he established the Technology Group (Machine and Electronics Shop) Scholarship endowment awarded to a first- or second-year Bachelor of Science student in either Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences or Physics.

“Brock was fortunate to have John Rustenburg as one of our own,” said Ejaz Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. “The advancements that John created in the Electronics Shop are still benefiting our Brock community to this day.”

Even after retiring, Rustenburg maintained regular contact with the shops and always attended the annual Technical Services Christmas Luncheon. The technical shops and Brock community will truly miss a unique colleague, mentor and friend.

Due to the pandemic, only an interment ceremony will be held at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Wainfleet on Thursday, Dec. 10. To read Rustenburg’s full obituary, please click here.