"My deepest condolences to Dr. Rastall?s family. Dr. Rastall was one of my favorite professors. I still remember my first day of class with him my freshman year as he walked in with his daughter behind him. From that first lecture I knew he was a amazing person and like no other, he was a staple of my classes and my advisor. I enjoyed many conversations with him whom many I still think about. God Bless and RIP Dr. Rastall "
In loving memory of
Kenneth Edward Rastall
October 27, 1961 - December 29, 2020
Kenneth Edward Rastall, Ph.D., age 59, of Proctor, WV, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at his son's residence in Morgantown.
Ken was born in Holland, Michigan, on October 27th, 1961, to Edward and Norma (VanTubbergen) Rastall.
He was a 1980 graduate of Hamilton High School before attending Lake Superior State University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in mathematics from where he graduated in 1984. He further pursued a master's degree at Central Michigan University and earned a secondary teaching certification in biology and mathematics, from where he graduated in 1987. For his Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Sciences and Entomology, Ken attended West Virginia University from where he graduated in 1999.
Ken loved teaching with an unmatched enthusiasm and passion for his students at Wheeling University, where he taught for 28 years as a professor in the Biology Department and received the Outstanding Teaching and Scholarship Award from 2007-2008. Aside from teaching, Ken also performed various research, outreach, and educational activities such as the Wheeling Creek Project (1993-1995), The MimicTM Project (1994-1996), The Dual Enrollment Program through Weirton Madonna High School (2013, 2014), The Laut Honor's Program (2002-2020), and many others. He has also been quite proud to serve as the president of the West Virginia Entomological Society from 2016-2017 and previously as the vice president from 2004-2005. A few other scientific studies included research into 17-year cicadas, Eastern Box Turtles, and Timber Rattlesnakes over the years.
Over the past 21 years, Ken proudly fathered his son born in 1999 and his daughter born in 2007. He was a great father with children that absolutely loved spending their many days together with him working on projects, playing games, traveling, and simply spending time with one another. His children could not have asked for a better father to teach them the important lessons of life, the skills they would need, and so many things.
Dozens of Ken's colleagues found him to be a friendly, personable, relatable, wonderful, and an overall remarkable man, all of which grateful for the opportunity to know Ken and thankful for the times they have been able to share together. The unwavering support and comfort offered by his family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors alike over the years and in present have been incredible.
As Ken struggled with liver disease over the last few months, he did all that he could to spend his remaining time with his children and to reassure them of his love. He also admitted that he did not fear death, and as a Christian trusted implicitly in the Lord's plan for him and his loved ones.
Ken is survived by his children, Jacob Rastall and Jacquelyn Rastall; his parents, Edward and Norma Rastall; his three older sisters Paula (Michael) Capizzi, Anne Lubbers, and Peggy (Bob) Ankerman; paternal aunt Lorene Dahlberg; maternal aunts and uncles Althea Beyersdorf and Alvin VanTubbergen; as well as his nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ken was preceded in death by both sets of his grandparents, several aunts and uncles, and his brother-in-law, Roger Lubbers.
At Ken's request, he has been cremated.
Thanks goes out to all those individuals with Wheeling Hospital, Ruby Memorial Hospital, and Morgantown Hospice Care for their generous, reliable, and comforting support through these difficult times to both Ken and his family.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover / Morgantown was privileged to care for the family.
Personal condolences and other symbolic gestures may be offered to the family at www.smithfcc.com.
Tributes
"I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Rastall was an amazing professor whose knowledge and love for nature came through in every lecture and lab. May God be with you and your family."
"Words can?t describe how amazing this man really was. My prayers and love go out to his children. I love you guys ?"
"Ken is going to be very missed. I enjoyed chatting with him whenever he came in to the library. To his family and friends: I am so very sorry for your loss. "
"Jake and Jackie ... Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time. Your father was a wonderful man, and he will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Rest in peace Rocket Man."
"So sorry to hear of Ken's passing. He was a wonderful professor and colleague. He will be missed. --Dominick De Filippis"
"Ken's Family, A number of students came to the University planning to major in biology as part of premed aspirations. They then discovered they were majoring in Professor Ken and wanted to become him. We worked together to accelerate their new double major in Biology Education. Ken's legacy lives on in their professional practice and the students that they are influencing. We all share in your loss. H. Lawrence (Larry) Jones, Ed.D."
"Jake and Jackie, our hearts ache to learn of the passing of your dad. He was a great friend and as I read all the tributes, they ring so true. Ken always had a smile for everyone and we enjoyed his visits with us when he came to Michigan. Your dad and Scott were friends since Kindergarten. Please reach out to us should you need anything. We will keep you in our thoughts! Scott and Karla Haveman "
"My deepest condolences to you, Jake and Jackie. Your father was my dear friend and a wonderful colleague. I will miss him."
"My prayers and condolences go out to Jake and Jackie. I knew your father the 22 years I worked with him in the Biology Department of Wheeling Jesuit University. He was a fine colleague and friend that entire time. I will miss him as I do everyone who was at WJU, now WU."
"I will never be able to find the words to fully express the amount of positive influence that Dr. Rastall had upon all aspects of my life. He was, by far, the most passionate, caring, knowledgeable, and energetic professor that I ever had the pleasure of learning from. More than that, he always let his students know that he was there for them, even if it meant taking away his personal time. I know, without a doubt, that I would not have made it through my senior year of college without him. Additionally, I have rarely met anyone so truly, deeply proud of their children, as Dr. Rastall was. Almost every single day he would update me regarding their adventures, and his plans for their upcoming visits to his home. It was always evident to me that they meant the entire world to him. I am so grateful to have had the joy of knowing him, even if it was only for a couple of years. "
"Ken was the type of person that was always such a nice guy! I rarely heard a negative word from him. Our university has lost one of the truly good professors. May he Rest In Peace? Karen Fahey Nursing"
"Dr. Rastall was one of my favorite people to see on campus! He always had a smile on his face and made everyone around him feel good. He was also one of the most intelligent people i have ever met, he taught me so many cool and interest facts about nature and life itself. He was a pure soul and an amazing and big heart. He will be dearly missed and will forever be in my memory."
"Dr. Rastall was one of my favorite people to see on campus! He always had a smile on his face and made everyone around him feel good. He was also one of the most intelligent people i have ever met, he taught me so many cool and interest facts about nature and life itself. He was a pure soul and an amazing and big heart. He will be dearly missed and will forever be in my memory."
" Dr ratsall was my favorite teacher he taught me so much in the past semesters I had him from the red wood trees to the deltoid muscle I?m so sad my favorite teacher is gone now he really left a mark on this world what a great man we have lost love you professor you are in a better place now "
"Ken was a wonderful teacher and colleague . He will be missed by many of his former students and colleagues who became life long friends. My heart aches for his children and family. "
"Dr. Rastall is truly one of the most wonderful, kind, caring and wonderful science lovers and persons you could ever meet. He was a joy to learn from in class, from his fun nature stories and adventures, to his amazing teaching and one of a kind ways. I will always remember our special Lyme Disease connection and those little bacteria will always make me think of him. He always always had a kind word to say, a smile and twinkle in his eye, a compliment to make you cheered, and a laugh to warm your heart. A brilliant selfless humble giving soul. He will truly be missed but never ever forgotten. He will continue to inspire always as his light shines through all who knew and loved him. Peace and prayers to Jake and Jackie. God bless always. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he Rest In Peace. Amen. "
"I was so blessed to have Dr. Rastall as a professor in my time at WJU. Some of my most memorable moments took place in his class and I am grateful to have learned from him. One thing that always stuck out to me was how much he loved his subject. He shared so much with us about the projects he worked on in his own time and helped us make those real world connections necessary to embrace material and learn. He was fun, engaging, intentional, and encouraging! My condolences to the family?he mentioned you all the time and we got to meet you briefly when we went to the Carnegie museum. It was clear family was important to him. Thank you for sharing him with the students of WJU. It was a privilege to have known him. "
"I was lucky enough to know Dr. Rastall as both a biology student at WJU and the his fellow bio department employee afterwards. He was an inspiring and engaging professor, a wonderful mentor, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He cared for his students, contributed to his department and the university as a whole, and always had a smile on his face and a kind greeting for everyone. I?m so sad to hear of his passing, but happy to have gotten to know and learn so much from him at WJU. We were lucky to have been his students. "
"I am beyond grateful to have been taught by Dr. Rastall during my 3 and a half years at Wheeling. Anyone who knew him understood his love for teaching, his children, and his students. Dr. Rastall wrote many of my letters of recommendation that I?m forever thankful for. He was a man that was always happy to see you and ready to ask about your life. My condolences to his family. "
"Peace to you, Jake and Jackie. Your father will be missed by all of us at Wheeling University. Dr. Jane Neuenschwander "
"One of the best professors I have ever gotten the chance to have. DR. Rastall had a heart of gold and loved what he was teaching (biology). Lots of love and prayers for his family and children. "