Rue S. Hestand III

Rue S. Hestand III, 81, died April 12, 2023. Rue was born Oct 4, 1941, in Oil City, PA. The family moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, a few weeks later. He lived in Ft. Worth until they moved to Pampa, Texas, his senior year of high school. Rue attended Texas Tech for 3 years then transferred to West Texas State in 1963, where he met his future wife, Anne. Rue credits her as the underlying strength of his achievements. He obtained his BS and MS in the following years at WT and married Anne in 1966. They moved to Gainesville, FL, where Rue worked on a PhD in plant ecology. Their son, Rue S. Hestand IV, was born in 1969, in Gainesville. Rue took a job with the FL Fish and Wildlife Commission, in Eustis FL, Fisheries Division in 1970. He was the first Aquatic Plant Botanist for the Commission and in charge of research and management of aquatic plants for 35 years. Rue was active in the Aquatic Plant Management Society where he presented many scientific papers. Rue also was a charter member of the FL Aquatic Management Society in which he was a board member and presented scientific papers each year. He published 20 plus scientific papers in several journals. Rue had always wanted horses and cows. They got horses in 1981, which ended their tennis playing days that had started in college. In 1981, they bought land and started a small cow-calf operation. Rue is survived by the love of his life, his soul mate, and his best friend, Anne. She was the calm, loving and steadying influence that balanced his life. They grew together and reached their 57th anniversary this past Jan. 23, 2023. Their loyal and everlasting love stands as an example of what a marriage should be. He is survived by wife, Anne, daughter-in-law, Carey, grandson, Rue V and granddaughter, Audrey as well as cousins in Texas. Rue was preceded in death by his parents, Hesta Smith & Rue S. Hestand II, sister, Ginger, and her husband, John Reynolds, and son Rue IV. He was loved and will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to FL Defenders of the Environment, PO Box 357086, Gainesville, FL 32635.