Richard Lee Brust, 92, of Indiana, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Maple Valley Personal Care Home.
Born in Indiana on May 26, 1934, Richard was the son of the late Charles Joseph and Gertrude Irene (McCreary) Brust.
Richard was predeceased by his wife, Joan Vanderhorst Brust, in 2023. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Blake (Martin) of Vancouver, BC, Canada; grandchildren Robert Blake (Emily) of Bowmanville, ON, Lindsay Blake of Peterborough, ON and Benjamin Blake of Vancouver, BC; and grandchildren Micaiah Blake, Landen Blake, Robyn Blake-Davies and Ryan Blake.
He is also survived by his brother, Rev. Donald Brust (Verna), 3 nieces, a nephew and 2 great nieces and a great nephew.
Richard moved to Pittsburgh with his family when he was 9 years old and eventually graduated from Bellevue High School. He received a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Nyack Missionary College in 1958. He received NY State Teaching credentials from Ithaca College and taught High School Music in Odessa Montour High School. He continued his education, earning a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting at Manhattan School of Music in New York, NY. He studied at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in pursuit of a PhD in Louisville, KY.
He was employed by Gulf Oil in Pittsburgh immediately following his high school graduation. During his college years at Nyack Missionary College, he worked at a Scientific Research Laboratory in NYC. He also directed several church choirs during these years in and around NYC and Long Island. After marrying Joan Vanderhorst in 1958 and becoming a father to Cheryl in 1959, they moved to Odessa, NY, where he taught high school music. In 1964, the family moved west to Regina, Saskatchewan, where Richard became the Director of the Music Department at Canadian Bible College and Canadian Theological Seminary. In 1979, Richard and Joan returned to Nyack, NY, to Nyack College and worked for 4 years in the Development Department and another 4 years in the Music Department and as Director of Christian Service.
He and Joan then spent another 7 years in itinerant concert ministry across North America, until 1994 when they moved to Columbus, OH as Minister of Music. From 1995 until 2001, He served as Minister of Music at First Alliance Church in Toledo, Ohio. He retired in 2001 and moved back to Indiana, PA, and soon was convinced to become the Choral Director at Graystone Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
In 2012, He retired for good and enjoyed community connections such as the YMCA Good Friday Breakfast, People Enjoying People at Graystone, Local Christian Radio, Silver Sneakers, Little League and singing the National Anthem for the Altoona Curve Baseball team.
He was an avid Sports fan, supporting the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, as well as following Indiana High and Junior High Basketball and Football. Pitt was his team in College Football, and NCAA basketball was his favorite, with March Madness always capturing his full attention.
His legacy and impact are huge, and he will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Deepest gratitude to the Williams family and their staff at Maple Valley Personal Care Home for compassionate and expert care, Concordia VNA Hospice Services and the Indiana Regional Medical Center for expedient diagnosis and planning options. Richard was so well cared for by all of you.
Friends and family will be received on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 36 N 7th St., Indiana. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Graystone Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 640 Church St, Indiana, beginning at
11:00 AM with Pastor Joe Stroup officiating. Private interment will be in Oakland Cemetery.
The service will be live-streamed and available to view on the Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial donations be made in Richard’s honor to the Graystone Choir Ministry at the church’s address.
