Russell R. Walton died on August 3 after a long battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, he was determined to get well.

Rusty, as he was known by his friends and family, was born in Boston on Oct. 6, 1939. He grew up in Cambridge, where he attended Browne and Nichols school. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Boston University. He later studied botany at the University of Vermont. Before moving to the Vineyard he worked as a surgical technician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and played semi-professional soccer for the town of Watertown. He was the managing editor for the Journal of the New England Botanical Club (Rhodora), and published several articles regarding Martha’s Vineyard conservation and ecology in various scientific journals.

Rusty loved life on the Vineyard, where he was devoted to conservation. He worked as a wetlands consultant for over 30 years, eventually becoming the conservation officer for the town of Chilmark. In addition, he served on the Chilmark planning board, the land bank advisory committee and the site review committee. He was a volunteer emergency medical technician, and he was devoted to soccer, where he was instrumental in bringing the youth soccer program to the Vineyard, and served as a referee.

Rusty was a gentle, caring person and will be missed by many. He was always ready with a helping hand for anyone who needed it.

He is survived by his daughter, Hilary Walton, her husband Dennis McLaughlin, and her mother Natalie Kelloway; his sister, Martha Walton Evens and her family; and his partner Callie of 31 years.

A memorial service is planned for a later date and details will be announced in the Gazette. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Sherriff’s Meadow Foundation, 57 David avenue, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568-6040.