Beyond the Banks columnist, historian Terry Ruscin dies at age 70

From staff reports
·2 min read
Terry Ruscin
Terry Ruscin

Local historian and Beyond the Banks author Terry Ruscin died Nov. 17, 2021 at age 70.

Ruscin was known for his thorough knowledge of local history and detailed writing. He wrote each month in Blue Ridge Living about unique people, places and times in the county, offering a seemingly endless variety of topics to his Times-News readers.

Some of his most popular columns were "Long history of characters with character on Hendersonville’s Main Street," "Puncheon Camp and ‘Bub’ Hyder," "Remembering the Easter Massacre in Edneyville" and "The Cedars, a grand dame and a survivor in Hendersonville."

Ruscin also authored eight books, including four on the history of Henderson County, working with the late historian Louise Bailey, who became a mentor and friend, on one of the volumes. Ruscin said in an Oct. 10 column that "Louise became a beloved friend - the mother I never had."

Historian, raconteur and wordsmith Louise H. Bailey pauses for a portrait in the Louise Bailey Archives at Blue Ridge Community College.
Historian, raconteur and wordsmith Louise H. Bailey pauses for a portrait in the Louise Bailey Archives at Blue Ridge Community College.

He honed his craft by getting to know people and their stories, saying in that column, "My remuneration would be the treasured friendships that many times blossom as a result of my sleuthing and interviewing. There have been so many more who became cherished friends during the course of my research..."

He closed his second to last Beyond the Banks column with these words: "I count among my blessings all of the wonderful people who held the keys to my queries and kindy assisted me. I appreciated - more than words can express - their sharing of time, knowledge, memories and vintage photos. Those folks shall forever dwell in my heart."

More: Beyond the Banks: Local group devoted to preserving Black history

More: Beyond the Banks: What downtown Hendersonville was like a century ago

Ruscin was a member of the Henderson County Genealogical Society, Historic Resources Commission and Historic Flat Rock Inc.

He retired as an advertising executive and moved from San Diego to Henderson County in 2004. He immediately began immersing himself in and chronicling local history.

His local books are "Images of America: Henderson County," “Hidden History of Henderson County,” “Hendersonville & Flat Rock: An Intimate Tour” and “Historic Henderson County: Tales from Along the Ridges,” which he coauthored with Bailey.

Service arrangements have not yet been announced and are being handled by Shuler Funeral Home.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Beyond the Banks columnist, historian Terry Ruscin dies at age 70