Dr. Russell Edwin Holmes

Dr. Russell Holmes, 73, passed away on Friday, January 23, in East Lansing, MI, following a short battle with cancer. Born May 1, 1941, Russell Holmes grew up in Beloit, WI – part of one of the early families of rural Turtle Township. A 1959 graduate of Beloit Memorial High School, he completed undergraduate studies at Oberlin College and received an MD from the University of Wisconsin Medical School (Madison) and Master of Public Health from Yale University. The professional contributions he most fondly remembered included working on new discoveries in use of DNA for cancer treatment at a Boston-based laboratory, advancing discussion of national health insurance through his work on public financing and organization of health care for the State of Wisconsin, and the establishment of Michigan’s Clean Indoor Air Act. Dr. Holmes moved from Madison, WI to East Lansing, MI in 1980 and was employed by the State of Michigan, in Public Health, and later in Disability Determination Services until his death.

Russ Holmes was an outgoing, kind, and generous member of the local community. He hosted many international students, helping them to orient to the East Lansing community. As a result, his friendship network extends across the globe on nearly all continents. He was an avid camper, hiker, and canoer. He introduced adults and kids alike to the joys of the outdoors – for many, opening up a life-long connection to nature and the environment. Russ was a lifelong activist for civil rights, peace, and the environment. In recent years, he provided persuasive testimony on the importance of preserving our local parks, helping to defend Lake Lansing Park from development. Russ was also an avid member of the mid-Michigan folk-music community. A friend of many local musicians, he could be found regularly at the Ten Pound Fiddle (East Lansing), Wild Hog in the Woods Coffeehouse (Madison), Wheatland Folk Festival, and other gatherings of lovers of traditional music. Russ Holmes met life head-on and always maintained a sense of optimism, curiosity, and adventure – an outlook he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Russell Holmes is survived by two daughters, Susan (Rob) Glazier of Traverse City, MI, and Amy (Carlos) Chavez of Atlanta, GA, and grandchildren Alder Glazier and Karina and Daniel Chavez, as well as brothers Thomas Holmes of Beloit, WI, and John Holmes of Sylmar, CA.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 15th at Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing, MI 48823; visitation with the family 2 p.m., memorial service 4 p.m., dinner reception and celebration of life 5 p.m. Well-wishers may make a charitable donation to the Ten Pound Fiddle Coffee House (LAFS, P.O. Box 4486, E. Lansing, MI 48826).

Those wishing to assist with the memorial service or dinner, or for questions, call Susan at (540) 272-4900 between 5-7 p.m.

On line condolences may be made at

www.greastlansing.com