Was Mr. Rusnak brought in to be a "Kirk" character?

I mean, think about it. Mr. Rusnak is abrasive and has a smart mouth. He even looks a little like Kirk and is a smart dresser. Makes me wonder if maybe Bob Newhart had second thoughts about getting rid of Kirk and felt he needed more of an antagonist character in the show.
Michael sure wasn't a good antagonist for Dick with all of Michael's whining and crying. Jim and Chester were too busy fighting amongst themselves. Stephanie was mainly only Michael's antagonist. She couldn't really do Dick much harm since she worked for him.

The only thing is that Mr. Rusnak wasn't as funny or as likeable as Kirk, so it is almost as if as the show went on they made other people turn on Dick, like George, who seemed to just get meaner and meaner to him. I didn't like what they did to George. He was a nice fella.

Well, those are my thoughts on Mr. Rusnak. Anyone have any opinions on him or his role in the Newhart universe?

I don't remember him. Apparently, he only appeared during the last season of Newhart, and I had lost interest by then.

I don't remember him. Apparently, he only appeared during the last season of Newhart, and I had lost interest by then.
He actually enters the show in season 7, but yeah, I don't blame you for tuning out. those last couple seasons it got really weird.

I don't remember him.

Here's a picture of him. He is the one between Dick and Michael.

Here's a picture of him. He is the one between Dick and Michael.

Thanks.