Wayne A. Drugan Jr., Republican election commissioner

Wayne A. "Rusty" Drugan Jr. died Dec. 7, 2006, at his home in Cambridge. He was 59.

Mr. Drugan was born on Aug. 11, 1947, son of Nora K. Marcks of Valley City, N.D., and the late Wayne Drugan. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of North Dakota, where he was summa cum laude in the honors program and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He continued his education as a Rhodes Scholar at Exeter College, Oxford University. During his attendance, he was the recipient of the Exeter College Academic Award.

From 1977 to 1992, Mr. Drugan worked at Reading International Inc. in several capacities, including vice president. From 1992 until his passing, he served as the executive director of the New England Independent Booksellers Association. He served as a Republican election commissioner for the city of Cambridge since 1995.

He was the brother of Manfred Drugan and his wife, Janice, of Valley City, N.D., Patricia Robbins and her husband, Bill, of Cavalier, N.D., and Sharon Miller and her husband, Dale, of Minneapolis, Minn. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral arrangements were made by A. J. Spears Funeral Home in Cambridge and Oliver-Nathan Funeral Home in Valley City, N.D.

Donations in Mr. Drugan’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Pancreatic Cancer Research, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

[Notice from Cambridge Chronicle, Dec 14, 2006]

Rusty was the first person, that I met, and was my first sponsor whom I had not earlier known, when I first campaigned for Cambridge City Council in 1985, a modest campaign, that built the base for later and stronger efforts. I was campaigning on the street, at the Church Street side Red Line exit, when he encountered me, and suggested that we meet, after a brief conversation.

About a week later, I met him for a late in the day coffee at the old Mug And Muffin in Harvard Square; after about a half hour chat, he pledged a contribution, which he made good on, and became a good friend in many other ways.

Rusty was always, first, a friendly person, and then a moderate Republican business person.

Several years later, I recognized the need for potential successors to our Republican Election Commissioners, and then sought and obtained, the agreement of Ed, and Mary Samp, to recruit Rusty to be a candidate for Election Commissioner. After several years, he agreed to allow his name to be entered in the Republican City Committee caucuses for recommendation to the City Manager, as one of the three names for consideration as Election Commissioner. Thus he had become the favorite to succeed Ed Samp, when Mr. Samp retired.

I will miss Rusty, and know that Heaven will have a new friendly, and even tempered American in the Republican Caucus Above.

Sincerely,
Vincent Lawrence Dixon