Early Rush III

1930 -2023

Early Joseph Rush, III of Springfield, VA, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 92 years of age on August 12, 2023 with his son, Bobby, holding his hand. Early will be remembered dearly and respectfully as a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, Soldier, and friend.

Early was preceded in death by his parents, Early Jubal Rush, Jr. and Estella Lechert Rush, as well as his wife, Patrica May (nee Doughty) Rush. He is survived by his loving son, Robert Joseph Rush (Erica Ellis); his grandchildren, Elaine Marie Rush and Keith Patrick Rush (Jackie Trageser); his step great-grandson, Nathaniel Trageser, and his great-granddaughter, Hailey Isabella Rush. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Martin Rush and Richard Thomas Rush; his sister, Patricia Rush Hupfer (Michael), and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.

Early was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up mostly in the Fells Point and Highland Town areas of East Baltimore, MD. He attended Patterson Park High School where he excelled in academics. He graduated as his class president in June of 1948, was first in his class academically, received numerous academic awards, and was class valedictorian.

Early was awarded a full scholarship to Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in Westminster, Maryland. During his freshman year he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and on July 1, 1949 he joined the USMA Class of 1953.

Early excelled again in academics at West Point and graduated as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While at West Point, Early met the love of his life, Patricia May Doughty. They married shortly after graduation and had one son, Robert, in 1956. Sadly Patricia passed away from Multiple Sclerosis in 1972 and was buried in the cemetery at West Point.

Early's military education included the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. The Army also sent him to Princeton University, where he earned a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering.

During his military career, Early was stationed in Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Belvoir, VA, Hawaii, Fort Leavenworth, KS, West Point, NY, Vietnam (as a Battalion Commander), Washington, DC, Carlisle Barracks, PA, New Orleans, LA (as the District Engineer from 1975-1978) and Fort Polk, LA. Early retired as a Colonel (O-6) in 1980. His military decorations included the Legion of Merit (2 OLC), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), and the General Staff Identification Badge.

After retirement, Early settled in Baton Rouge, LA. He worked briefly for a small family-owned engineering company providing engineering services for the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico. He enjoyed Cajun life until 2017 when he moved to the Greenspring Village Retirement Community in Springfield, Virginia to be near his family.

In addition to his exemplary scholastic and military career, Early enjoyed many activities to include playing golf, and playing bridge and cribbage regularly in both Baton Rouge and at Greenspring. He loved watching all sports, but especially relished rooting for the Army Black Knights and the Louisianna State University (LSU) Tigers.

Early was incredibly brave, selfless, a true gentleman, and a man of great kindness and generosity, always seeking to lend a hand or be there when needed. He loved and was loved dearly and will be missed deeply by all who knew him. His life and memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched with his warmth and kindness.

Family and friends will honor and celebrate Early's life at Evans Life Celebration in Parkville, MD on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Ursula's Catholic Church on Saturday, August 26, at 11 a.m. Early will be buried alongside his wife, Patricia at West Point, NY. The funeral at West Point is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, at 10 a.m.

Anyone interested in attending the funeral at West Point, please contact Early's son, Bob (571-212-7628, oringman@verizon.net). If you plan on attending, you will need to enter the installation as part of the funeral procession. Procession to the West Point Cemetery will step off at approximately 9:45 a.m. from Hogan's Funeral Home, 135 Main St., Highland Falls, NY 10928. Please arrive at or before 9:30 a.m.