Harold “Rusty” Casselton, chair of the Film Studies Department at Minnesota State University Moorhead and one of the Fargo-Moorhead area’s most respected film historians, died December 30, 2007 at the age of 53. A tremendous supporter of the movies, especially the silent cinema, Rusty was known around the world for his efforts in film restoration and preservation. Rusty collaborated with mentor Ted Larson for many years, and their efforts resulted in a variety of wonderful opportunities for movie fans, who regularly attended popular events like Silent Movie Night at the Fargo Theatre and the Summer Cinema series on the campus of MSUM.

Additionally, Rusty participated in the Fargo Film Festival from the time of its inception, often providing a small army of students to help staff and run the various second venue locations as volunteers. His many relationships to film industry professionals also resulted in frequent festival submissions. A dedicated educator, Rusty taught film studies courses at Concordia College for 22 years before accepting a position at MSUM in 2001. He will be greatly missed by the Fargo Film Festival, his students, his extended family, his friends, his colleagues, and his wife Cindy and daughters Hannah and Amanda.

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