– Dr. Fernando Francia Rustia, 53, died unexpectedly, in the arms of his beloved wife, Nancy, on Sunday, June 6, 2010. He was born in Manila, Philippines, on January 21, 1957, the son of the late Alfredo and Erlinda (nee: Francia) Rustia. Dr. Rustia graduated from the University of Washington-Seattle and was an avid Husky fan. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Rustia had been in practice in Racine for over 13 years. He was presently associated with the Aurora Health Center. On May 31, 2008, in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Nancy Jane Cupps Wolfe. They shared a short but magical romance. Dr. Rustia’s life was devoted to caring for the welfare of all children. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Wisconsin Medical Association, the Racine Medical Association, and was an active participant in the Health Care Network. He enjoyed competing in ballroom dancing, photography, and painting. Surviving are his loving wife, Nancy; his stepdaughter, Mary Jordan Wolfe, both at home; brother, Carlos (Micha Burnett) Rustia; sister, Juana (Larry) Martin, all of Seattle, WA; brother-in-law, Mark (Patricia) Cupps, of Decanter, AL; nephews, Sam Martin, Anthony Ryan (Jill Rosmand) Cupps, and Nicholas Ira Cupps. His memorial mass will be celebrated in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Thursday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Relatives and friends can meet with the family, in the church, on Thursday, from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the American Diabetes Association.
Brian & Debby Dasher says
Dr. Rustia was such a caring & knowledgeable physician – he took great care of our son Brett. We are saddened by his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife and family for their loss.
Tasha Burton says
I was so shocked to learn of Doctor. Rustia’s passing. This is still a hard pill to swallow as he was my childrens pediatrician for years. 2005-2009 to be exact he was always there anytime we need him. He was so very pleasant evertime we came for an appointment. He was the only doctor I have ever known to sit at the desk and check in patient. He will be truely missed, to the Rustia family I am so sorry for your lost. Find comfort in knownig that he is now in the comfort of the lord.
Julie Becker says
Dr Rustia will be greatly missed by myself and my two boys. He was an amazing man and doctor. Our deepest sympathies go to his family at this time. He will be greatly missed.
Julie Becker
Dakota and Zachary Morrison
Bruce Triplett says
So sorry to hear of your loss! My daughter was under the care of Dr. Rustia for the last 11 years. He was gentle and kind and this is a sad day for our family. Nancy, please know that you are prayed for during this difficult time!
Bruce Triplett, Franksville, WI
wendy says
My heart and prayers go out to nancy and family. Fernando was a awsome person. He will be deeply missed.
JUDY SCHIMKE says
I didn’t know you very well doctor, but a lot of very nice things about you. My prayers are with your family and friends.
Nancy Smith says
Dr. Rustia will be missed. He took wonderful care of my two sons for several years. My sincere condolences to his family.
Beaudet Family says
Dr Rustia ..
What Can I say but a great man he was there for our two boys no mater what!!!,
He was there for our first born fighting with the ER doctor to make sure he would get the best care .
I witnessed him getting into an argument with other doctor to insure that his patient got the best care possible. He would also stay late and squeeze my little boy in whenever we needed him.. he was always there.
you will be missed and none other can replace the love you have for children
thank you for being not only a good doctor but being a friend to our family.
we wil miss you
The Beaudet Family
Lori millard says
We were a family that were blessed to have Dr. Rustia take care of our children for the last 12 years. Nobody in the world that was or will ever be as caring as Dr.Rustia. I will never forget in October the health scare we had with our oldest son, he would call while we were seeing other doctors, i would stop just to ask him a question, about a test or Specialist we were seeing, after my son’s ct-scan we stopped to ask him a question and he looked at me and my son gave me a hug and told me it was going to be ok. Nobody in this world will ever be able to fill his shoes. The Lord took him for a reason we might not never now the reason, but we do know one thing, we have all been blessed to meet Dr.Rustia!!!
Lori,James,Taylor,Jessica,&JJ Millard
Jill Schlenz says
I am so sorry Nancy and family. This is not only tragic but heartbreaking. He was an amazing Dr. and had a special gift to not only care for his children but give strength and comfort to parents who feel helpless when their child is ill.I have read other stories on here and can not count the times he has been their for Garrit and Dalanie, a busy man. Dalanie posted something on her Facebook page today, and it sums up the feelings in our home right now. She said “He was a member of my family and I don’t know what i am going to do without him”. We just want you to know our thoughts, hearts, and prayers are with you at this time.
Lorrie Haiar says
We are so saddened to hear about Dr. Rustia and our hearts go out to his family and friends. He was such a wonderful Pediatrician to our two little girls and will greatly be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely ~ Brad, Lorrie, Sophie & Ellie
Joe Hanneman says
Dr. Rustia cared for our three children for many years. He was very thorough in making a diagnosis. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. We are so saddened by his sudden death. Dr. Rustia, may God bless you richly in eternity!
Ingram-Brown Family says
When I saw the name it didn’t register that this was my childrens doctor for the last 12+ years. When I saw the face my heart sank. This man was a part of my family when ever there was an emergency with one of my kids he always squeezed them in. I had my niece for summer break and he even saw her. He was a saint and like many are saying fought for the care of us as well as our children.
Castaneda Family says
We are truly saddended by Dr Rustia’s passing. I have not known such a caring physician. He was one of the last doctors who actually called to follow up with their patients himself. We have been nothing but impressed for the last 2 and a half years. I can not begin to express the confidence our family had in him and his practice. To his wife, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Teresa & Nicholas Grasso says
Dr. Rustia has been my children’s doctor for 10 plus years – if we only had more doctors like him – life would be good. My daughter had some birth defects and when Aurora had their open house when it first opened he approached me to say hello and when I told him of the birth defects in medical terms and he didnt ask ‘what is that’ and I didnt have to explain I knew he was the doctor for my children. He continued to be a wonderful, caring and knowledable doctor. You will be missed by many – god bless and prayers to your wife and family!
Patricia Cupps says
We Love You Fernando,Nancy and Jordan
The Willkomm Family says
We were so sad to hear of the sudden loss of Dr Rustia. He has been our family’s pediatrician for almost 10 years and we could not have asked for a better doctor for our children. Our prayers are with his family at this difficult time. Dr Rustia – thank you for being a great asset to our community. You will be missed. Jim, Lally, Samantha and Olivia Willkomm
Chris Chamberlain says
Sorry to hear about your loss. He used to be one of my doctors. He will be taken care of in God’s arms.
Norma Burleson says
Nancy and Jordan: I love you and pray that God will hold you and comfort you during this difficult time.
The Dicks Family says
Dr.Rustia has been our family physician since we relocated here 8 years ago. The compassion, professionalism not to mention the patience this gentle man had not only with children of all ages, but parents as well is one that I will never forget. His reassurance during difficult times was a relief. He always had a smile on his face, often times would be at the front desk drinking his coffee while helping the staff check in patients as they arrived. While our hearts are saddened by this sudden loss, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thank you Dr. Rustia for 8 blessed years! Hugs, Sean; Cindy; Kayla & Allison.
Anthony and Jill Cupps says
We will miss Fernando so much! Our family really enjoyed the time we spent getting to know Fernando and have grown to love him. We thought a lot about him and it is comforting to know that he was a follower of Jesus Christ and that he is worshiping our Father in Heaven right this very minute. We love you Nancy and Jordie!!!
Dan Roth, M.D. says
Fernando was a year behind me in the pediatric residency progrsm st Brown. He was sharp, witty, a trusted colleague. A few years ago, another Brown colleague and I drove right past Racine on the way to the Packers-Giants playoff game in Green Bay and thought about dropping in on Fernando by surprise but we decided to pass by. Should have stopped. Best wishes and condolences to the Rustia family.
Margaret Tafoya says
I am so sorry that Fernando has gone from this earth. I didn’t know God had taken him home. We were friends when we both worked at the UW. He was a wonderful man and great friend.