Russell Guerin

Russell Guerin of Charlotte devoted his public life to health care, helping shape the dramatic expansion of Carolinas HealthCare System. But he was more than a hospital executive, for cancer made him a patient of the system he helped lead, and it deepened his determination to comfort others struggling with illness.

He died August 6, 2015, leaning on his family and faith until the end, wanting people to know that he never lost hope during the 11 years he fought this disease. He was 59.

The youngest of seven children, Russ, as most everyone called him, was born and raised in Chicago. He graduated from Holy Cross Catholic High on the south side of Chicago. Earning a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois, he began an accounting career with Deloitte Haskins & Sells. He continued this career while attending Rush University in Chicago to obtain a Masters degree in Hospital Administration. After graduate school, he moved to Charlotte to open a new division of Deloitte specializing in hospital consulting. In 1987, he joined Charlotte Memorial Hospital as Vice President for Finance.

Over the next 26 years, he helped guide the dramatic expansion of the hospital system that now includes 39 hospitals plus medical practices, nursing homes and other institutions that handle 11.5 million patient encounters each year. He held leadership positions in numerous areas across the system, including finance and community relations. In each role, he worked passionately to serve all God’s children. In his final job as Executive Vice President for Business Development and Planning, he helped oversee the system’s growth strategy. In 2005, about a year after marrying Suzanne, he was diagnosed with advanced melanoma. It was the start of a journey of multiple surgeries, radiation and other treatment. When he retired in 2013, he told the community, “I need to take care of Russ now.”

Before and after cancer, at Carolinas HealthCare System and across the community, Russ made a powerful impression.

He served as Chairman of MedCost, a health benefits company, and Vice Chair of the 16-county Charlotte Regional Partnership. Among the boards on which he served: UNC Charlotte Foundation, the Harris branch of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation. He was also a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Professionally and personally, he enjoyed serving as a mentor and career counselor, happy to share advice, encouragement and humor. He yearned to help people.

Russ was so proud of his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Suzanne; four children whose love and life success meant the world to him – Bridget Inklebarger and her husband, Chris, of Charlotte; Emily Guerin and her fiancée, Michael Bowman, of Washington, D.C.; Hunter Hindes and his wife, K’Loni, of Pleasanton, Texas; and Haley Hindes of Charlotte; and one beautiful grandchild, Ella, the daughter of Bridget and Chris. His six older siblings survive: Robert Guerin and his wife, Mary, of Marathon, Fla.; Richard Guerin and his wife, Eileen, of Clarendon Hills, Ill.; Roger Guerin and his wife, Jean, of Long Beach, Ind.; Rita McConn and her husband, Robert, of Houston; Ronald Guerin and his wife, Denise, of Annandale. Va.; and Raymond Guerin and his wife, Debbie, of Naples. Fla. Russ is also survived by more than 30 nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends who became family to him. Their prayers and practical help held him up through the difficult days.

What a good life Russ Guerin lived. He and Suzanne enjoyed getting away to their mountain house in Blowing Rock, and they loved hosting gatherings of family and friends. His Catholic faith remained vibrant: He made a point of visiting church groups that included him on their prayer list, and he sought to comfort others fighting cancer. His illness required that he make many life adjustments. He did so – a reflection of the grace with which he handled each turn in the journey. He continued skiing, scuba diving and playing golf, rooting for the Panthers and his hometown Chicago Cubs, and finding joy in music, especially classic rock. If only he had been blessed with more time.

Active at the YMCA, Russ and Suzanne Guerin helped expand rehabilitation/fitness offerings for those recovering from illness or accident. “Beyond Limits,” the program is called. The Guerins were the subject of a brief video celebrating the Y story. “Faith That Is Beyond Limits,” as the video is entitled, articulates the qualities that come to mind whenever we shall think of Russ. He was grateful to God for the strength to endure life’s challenges. And he held onto hope until the day he died.

A visitation will be held Monday August 10 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 6828 Old Reid Road in Charlotte. A funeral Mass will be on Tuesday August 11 at 10:30 am at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. Father Mark Lawlor will lead the service.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers a gift in his memory be made to the Russell C. Guerin Melanoma Research Foundation to support research for the treatment and study of melanoma. Close family friends established the fund. Checks can be made out to Carolinas HealthCare Foundation (Russ Guerin in the memo line) and mailed to 1221 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204. Donations can also be made at www.givecarolinas.org/russell-c-guerin.

McEwen Funeral Service is handling arrangements. Online condolences can be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.