Russell T. “Rusty” Quarterman
Russell T. “Rusty” Quarterman
August 9, 1949 – May 19, 2026
Russell T. “Rusty” Quarterman passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, after a brief but courageous fight with cancer.
Born in Tampa, FL, he and his parents, Dottie and Tallman, shortly after moved to Avondale Estates in Atlanta, where he and his brother, Doug, were raised. Rusty attended Avondale High School, where he was Class President his Senior year.
He then went on to attend the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1971 and continued to study law. He graduated Law School in 1974, and chose to stay in Athens, where he carried on a 42-year career in Athens and the surrounding area. He was known as one of the most well-respected (and best dressed) real estate attorneys in the area.
A self-admitted “motor head,” he was quite fond of fast cars, motorcycles, and the occasional boat or two. Riding motorcycles from the time he was 16, he later got into road racing in the 1980s and won his Championship upon a Ducati. He later got into “adventure” riding, where he would ride various motorcycles to Mexico and Central America. Speaking Spanish, Mexico was one of his favorite places in the world. He often traveled by himself, but he also took several trips with friends, including Margie, Mike, Jim and Dave.
In the mid-1990s, he found a love for Darien and McIntosh County, where he ultimately retired to Harris Neck Island. With his Commercial/Residential development on Broad Street in Downtown Darien, he became known as one of the most instrumental individuals in the redevelopment and revitalization of the Downtown District.
In this same development, with the help of his son, Russ, and business partner, Mike Greenway, Waterfront Wine & Gourmet was born in late 2006. In 2010, the “Wine Bar” would be added, becoming the hub of Broad Street for a glass of wine or a cold beer. This, of course, was Rusty’s favorite place to hang out. As the official greeter of the bar, he would often say things like “Welcome!” “Come on in the house!” or “Don’t leave, the party’s just beginning!” He never met a stranger. He was often also seen strolling the streets downtown, with his dog, Les.
He was Chairman of the Darien Downtown Development Authority, as well as a volunteer with the McIntosh Art Association, amongst others. Darien would not be the same without the time, care, and effort that he put into the little town.
Rusty is predeceased in death by his mother and father, Dottie and Tallman. He is survived by his brother, Doug, of Atlanta; his son, Russ (Jennifer) of Darien; his grandson, Anders, of Darien; and his beloved girlfriend, Evelyn, of Oregon.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming months.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McIntosh Art Association, or Hospice of the Golden Isles.
(Family-placed obituary)