Rufus Thomas Getzen

WADESBORO - Mr. Rufus Thomas Getzen, 72, died Saturday, April 1, 2017 at his sisters home. Funeral services will be 11:00am, Wednesday, April 5, 2017 in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home. There will be a reception following the service at the home of his sister. The family will greet friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Rufus was born April 11, 1944 in Columbia, SC a son of the late Rufus Williams Getzen and the late Sarah Catherine Thomas Getzen. He was a graduate of Lower Richlands High School in Hopkins, SC. Following high school graduation, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a Minor in Physics from Wake Forest University in 1965. He earned a Masters of Science in Geology from the University of South Carolina and then in 1972, a PhD in Geology with a specialty in ground water hydrology from the University of Illinois, Champaign - Urbana. Rufus worked for more than 30 years with the United States Geological Survey Water Resources Division Research in New York, Washington, DC, Palo Alto, CA and Yucca Mountain, NV prior to his retirement in 1997. Following retirement, he and his wife Beverley would return to Washington, DC until her retirement. In 2005, Rufus and Beverley, would purchase a home in Wadesboro, NC to be near Rufus family. Family was a very important part of his life and the move to Wadesboro would be necessary to be of help to his beloved brother, Phil and dear brother-in-law, Larry as they were battling cancer, and to be involved in the care for his mother. Rufus and Beverley made themselves right at home in Wadesboro and soon would become involved in various civic organizations. He was a member of Wadesboro Civitan Club, Anson County Writers Club, Anson County Arts Council, Anson Historical Society and Hampton B. Allen Library. One of Rufus passions was the youth of Anson County. He was involved in an effort to help with youth literacy and a contributor to youth successes in Anson County. He was instrumental in forming the Junior Civitan Club and was involved with the Robotics Team at Anson New Tech School. He was supportive of scholarships through the Wadesboro Civitan Club and South Piedmont Community College. He was a writer of poetry in his college years and his works were published in the college literary magazines as John Q. Gilterhopper. He most recently won First Place from Anson County Writers Club for his poem entitled Cyrus, written for one of his dearly loved cats. He was a licensed private air plane pilot, having flown around the United States in private planes and was a former SCCA Racing Champion in 1997. Surviving are his wife of 48 and a half years, Beverley Bushong Getzen of the home; his sister, Catherine Crandell of Wadesboro and Seattle, WA; his brother, Phillip Getzen and wife, SinCha of Weddington; his brother-in-law James Bushong and wife, Kay of Daleville, VA; his sister-in-law, Patricia Williams and husband, Alfred of Roanoke, VA and his nephews and nieces, Steve and Heather Cotton and Jeff and Stacy Cotton both of Seattle, WA, Patrick and Coleen Getzen of Apex, Kim and Rory Whelehan of Greenville, SC, Nick Getzen of Portland, OR, Kim and Sam Crawford and Kristal Bushong all of Roanoke, VA and their families. He is also survived by his beloved feline children, Peteseeger, Lady Kiri, Gigi and Lignite. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Anson County Arts Council and Ansonia Theatre, P.O. Box 332, Wadesboro, NC 28170 or, Anson County Animal Shelter, 101 S. Greene St., Suite 205, Wadesboro, NC 28170. or South Piedmont Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 126, Polkton, NC 28135. The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com Visitation Leavitt Funeral Home Tuesday April 4th, 2017 6:00pm - 8:00pm 2036 Morven Road Wadesboro, NC 28170