Edward Washington Rose III

Edward W. “Rusty” Rose III, died Friday, January 29, 2016, in Dallas, As a result of his decades long battle with severe clinical depression. He was 74. Named by Texas Monthly almost 40 years ago “the best security analyst in the business,” Rusty Rose was the president and sole owner of Cardinal Investment Company, which he founded in 1974. Through Cardinal, Rose invested in public securities as well as private companies. He served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Texas Rangers, Reata Pharmaceuticals and Drew Industries, where he served as chairman emeritus. Rose was a dedicated philanthropist whose numerous beneficiaries include Cornell Lab of Ornithology, for whose board he served as chairman for ten years. A longtime member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Rose also served on the board of Contact Dallas Telephone Counseling, as a former trustee of the Texas Nature Conservancy, former chairman of the board of trustees of the Greenhill School, and as an active director of the food bank, North Dallas Shared Ministries. A former director of Girls’ Adventure Trails and an active patron of Trinity River Audubon Center, Rose’s civic participation and his quiet largesse were hallmarks of his character. Rose received his Bachelor of Engineering Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1963 and his Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University in 1965. A naturalist, Rose was a learned and avid birdwatcher, fisherman, skier, golfer, and champion tennis player. His love of the outdoors was nowhere more apparent than at Rey Rosa, his ranch south of Dallas, which became a cherished refuge dedicated to fun and folly with family and friends, and where he introduced many to life in the outdoors that he so loved. Rusty acted as a mentor to many, fostering numerous successful business ventures and teaching at SMU’s Cox School of Business. Famously skeptical in business, Rusty generously helped and advised the many who came to him, gaining the trust, respect and affection of countless friends. Known for his loud laugh, his ironic wit and also by his many women friends as a strong leader on the dance floor, Rusty was widely admired and adored. Passionate and intense in his wide ranging and serious interests, Rusty’s greatest love he reserved for his wife of 51 years, Evelyn Potter “Deedie” Rose, to whom he was steadfastly devoted. It was Deedie, as his partner in all facets of life, who gave Rusty his greatest joy. A dedicated family man, Rusty Rose was in business partnership with his son, Will Rose, and also took delight in the success of his daughter, fashion designer Lela Rose, as well as in their spouses and his five grandchildren. Rusty Rose was unflinchingly honest, courageous, loyal and sincere. His characteristic integrity served as an inspiration to the many who sought his counsel and friendship. His embrace of family, friends and business associates make a pivotal difference in the many lives he touched. Rusty was predeceased by his mother, Sue Gill Rose, his father, Edward Washington Rose II, and his brother, John Glanville Rose. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Potter “Deedie” Rose, his son, William Edward Rose and his wife, Catherine Marcus Rose of Dallas; his daughter Lela Helen Rose and her husband, Brandon Jones of New York City; his grandchildren: Alex, Charlie and Jack Rose and Grey and Rosey Jones. He is also survived by his sisters: Sue Gill Rose of Seattle, MaryAnn Rose Justman of Austin and by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Potter Kendall and husband, Charles Kendall, and sister-in-law, Sally Potter Mooring and husband, Scott, all of Fort Worth, and many nieces and nephews. Rusty Rose is also survived by his loved associates: Charlie Gale, Nancy Meinershagen, Beth Quint, Angela Walsh and Leonard Wenmohs. The family wishes to thank the following doctors who cared for Rusty: Dr. Larry Thornton, Dr. Makhudar Triveda, Dr. Ahmed Raza, Dr. Tina Davianai, Dr. Charles Nemeroff and Dr. Raymon Aggarwal. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Tim Byrne, President George W. Bush, Robert Brown, Brad Dyer, Ted Enloe, John Fitzpatrick, Tom Johnson, George Kaiser, Charles Kendell, William Lamont, Edward Buchanan Lyon, Scott Mooring, Ned Morgens, Peter McGuire, Kent McGaughey, Marshall Payne, Howard Rachofsky, Larry Schoenbrun, Tom Schieffer, John Schoellkopf, William Solomon, Steve Summers and Michael Young. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2016, at Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Friends of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Inc., c/o Philip H. Bartels, 289 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830; North Dallas Shared Ministries, 2875 Merrell Road, Dallas, TX 75229; Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 S. Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217; Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201.