Colonel Richard L. “Dick” Russell (USAF/retired), 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 2, 2015, at Venice (Florida) Regional Bayfront Health following a period of declining health. Born in Moretown on April 12, 1934, he was the son of the late John M. and Eunice (Lyman) Russell. On November 5, 1955, he married the former Jeanne MacEachern in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Dick was a 1951 graduate of Waterbury High School and continued his education at the University of Vermont in Burlington. While at UVM, he was a member of the ROTC program, Kappa Sigma fraternity and the varsity baseball team. He graduated in 1955 with a degree in education. Commissioned as second lieutenant upon graduation, Dick entered the United States Air Force on January 24, 1956. This began a career that spanned 26 ½ years of service to his country. As a fighter pilot, Dick flew over 100 combat missions during the Vietnam War, was a jet pilot instructor as well as a test pilot and logged over 2,000 hours in an F-100 Super Sabre fighter. A Bronze Star recipient, Dick retired from the military at the rank of colonel on July 31, 1982.
Moving his family to Waterbury Center in 1982, Dick began a second career as an educator, first teaching history at Lamoille Union High School in Hyde Park, later teaching French at Stowe High School in Stowe and then teaching English at Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, from which he retired. Nominated earlier this year, Dick will be inducted into the Harwood Union High School Hall of Fame on September 12, 2015.
Upon his final retirement, Dick and Jeanne split their time between Beverly, Massachusetts, and Venice, Florida. Dick is lovingly remembered for his devotion to his wife, family and community, as well as his pride for and dedication to his country. He was an avid and longtime fan of the New York Yankees and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football.
Dick is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Russell of Venice; his son, Richard L. Russell Jr. and his wife Deanna of Waterbury; four grandchildren, Kathryn and Kyle Russell of Washington, DC, and Sean and Lynn Russell of Waterbury; two brothers, William Russell and his wife Chila of Waterbury and John Russell of Findley Lake; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Dick was predeceased by a son, Lt. Colonel Daniel A. Russell, and a sister, Blanche Shephard.
Memorial services will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury on August 29 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Committal services with full military honors will be held at Waterbury Center Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com.
