729 Virginia Avenue

Bluefield, Virginia 24605

276-326-1141

Robert Russell "Rusty" Fife

Bluefield, VA

Robert "Rusty" Fife, 80, of Bluefield, Virginia, died peacefully Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at his home. Born on March 4, 1944, in Bluefield, WV he was the son of the late Rolen and Gladys Fife.  He was preceded in death by the love of his life of 54 years, Clara Mae Fife. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Doc Fife (Hester), Tom Fife (Anne), and Roy Fife (Frances), and his sister Nancy Whitman (Charlie),  and nephew, Tommy Fife of Myrtle Beach, SC; and  special family members Dal Bourne (Yvonne), and Addie Sue Lambert Lockhart (CD).

Rusty graduated from Graham High School in 1963. During his time there he scored over 1,000 points on the basketball court, held many track records in the state of Virginia, and was an amazing football player on the field. Following his graduation from high school, Rusty went on to play football on scholarship at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. He had the honor of being on the first team to ever play in Lane Stadium for the Hokies. He will forever be known as one of the Virginia Tech Claiborne Boys.

Following college, Rusty worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for several years before returning to Bluefield and joining GTE. After a long and successful career, Rusty enjoyed his retirement  traveling with his family , spending time with his granddaughters, and golfing with his lifelong friends.

In 2011, Rusty was inducted into The Great American Rivalry Series Football Hall of Fame. He was active in many civic organizations such as the Bluefield Virginia Lions Club, the Elks Club, and the Bluefield Sales Executive Club. If not with his family, you could find Rusty at Graham High School sporting events, supporting his Virginia Tech Hokies, or attending a Bluefield Ridge Runners baseball game.

Survivors include a daughter Lisa Fife McCaskill, and husband Brian of Camden, South Carolina. Two granddaughters, who were his world, Margaret Grace McCaskill and Clara Ann McCaskill. Beloved nieces Barbara Sofield (Rich) of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Debbie Quesada (Ray) of Florence, South Carolina, Beth Fife of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Paula Ross of Bluefield, Virginia. Rusty is also survived by many other nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate the life of Rusty Fife will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 2 P.M at Dudley Memorial Chapel officiated by Rev. Thermon Belcher. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memorial in Bluefield, Virginia. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 11A.M  until the time of service. Online condolences may be shared with the family via https://www.dudleymemorial.com.

Ron Yost, Chad Surface, Rich Sofield, Tim Parris, Barry Perdue, Frank Pochick, Mike Swatts, Chuck Louthan, Larry Durham, and Dean McCaughan will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are the Virginia Tech Claiborne Boys.

All Hokies fans are encouraged to wear orange and maroon to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to Graham High School in care of the Rusty Fife Memorial Scholarship Fund at 210 Valleydale Street, Bluefield VA 24605.

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