RAPID CITY- Donald A. (Russ) Russell loved good books, restoring historic places for future generations, and one woman. He passed away in Rapid City on June 20, 2017. He was 88 years old.

In 1954, shortly before the year that Chevy built their best car ever, Russ ventured on a double date and fell in love. That engagement ring lived in the glove compartment for a couple of months while he got up his nerve to ask his beautiful lady to marry him. She said yes, and they spent the next 60 years building a life. Esther (Helmer) Russell survives this man who honorably served his country, built her a home from the ground up, and they raised a wonderful family together.

Childhood memories from a farm in Ida Grove, Iowa included ornery horses, wild dairy cows and hogs, hard work, and a pioneering family with brother Ed and sisters June and Rita. It was this work ethic that led him to join the Air Force in the year it was created and to serve until 1968 when he retired as a Master Sergeant. During his service, he was selected for Radar Navigation Technician School because he had an aptitude for new and challenging jobs. That aptitude led to the selection as a Missileer, a position that required specialized training in complex systems including targeting and electrical systems and he served as the Launch Chief for the first Air Force Snark Missile.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Russ turned his lifelong love of learning and creating works of art from wood into a new career with the Hudson brothers at Anderson Millwork in Rapid City. He then shared his passion and knowledge of woodworking as a teacher in Sturgis at the Vo-Tech School. He took great pride in mentoring young people in wood shop and historic preservation. Many of his projects endure today across Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. All of that experience was channeled into the creation of a home that he took great pride in. Every board was hand selected and every cabinet hand carved. Every book near his favorite recliner was enjoyed and referred to often. His eclectic back yard showcases a love of flowers and a bountiful garden and is a haven for small birds. And as much as he loved all of these things, he loved his family more.

Russ is survived by his bride of 60 years, Esther Russell; his daughter Susan Schlottman and his son-in-law Neal of Rapid City and their three children, Andrew (and son Logan) of Rapid City, Joel (wife Bailey) of Anoka, MN, and Kara of Aberdeen, SD; his son Robert Russell and daughter-in-law Lea Anne and their daughter, Kallie, all from Elizabeth, Colorado and sisters June and Rita and sister in laws, Nellie and Ruth. His children were taught to enjoy the Black Hills, select the right power tools, and to always be up for an adventure. The four grandkids know him as a man who supported their every goal, taught them skills for life, loved their sense of humor, and beat them in card games during family events. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who he dearly loved.

Russ will be interred with military honors at the Black Hills National Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 24th at 11:00 AM at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. Fellowship and lunch will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the John T. Vucurevich Regional Cancer Care Institute or Canyon Lake United Methodist Church.