Russell LeRoy McPeak

Russell was born June 16, 1943, to Forrest & Bernice McPeak in Sparta, Wisconsin. He grew up on a farm in Cateract, WI. He spent many a day on a tractor or milking the cows. He graduated from Melrose WI High School in 1961. After high school, he worked for a time at Decomat in Sparta, then enlisted in the Air Force, which would lead to a career spanning 21 years as a Jet Engine Technician. During that time, he had the honor of working on the crew of Air Force One, the President’s airplane, for 9 years at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC. The Presidents he worked for included Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan. Other bases he was assigned to included Lackland AFB in Texas, Chanute AFB in Illinois, Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam, George AFB in California, and Ramstein AFB in Germany.

He met his wife Marie while stationed at George AFB, and they were married on April 15, 1972. Their twin daughters, Jeanette and Jennifer were born at Andrews AFB two years later.

After retirement from the Air Force, the family settled in Renton, WA, where Marie was born, and Russell became a school building custodian for the Renton School District. He was assigned to Highlands Elementary School, Renton High School, and McKnight Middle School, where he retired as the Lead Custodian after 20 years of service. While at McKnight, he became known as “Bicycle Bob” to the students, as he would navigate the halls of the school on his bicycle. Russell & Marie were also members of King of Kings Lutheran Church for 36 years.

Russell was also a lifetime member of the Goldwing Touring Association. He loved riding his Honda Goldwing motorcycle to various rallies and events around the U.S. and meeting new people. No matter where he went he made friends due to his friendly outgoing nature.

Russell is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marie; his two daughters Jeanette Hinesley and Jennifer Fassbender; son-in-law Mark Fassbender; his 3 grandsons – Zachery Hinesley, Owen Fassbender, and Evan Fassbender; his sister Doris Rasmussen, niece Tricia Orzel (Travis) and nephew Cody Lechner (Madison).

Personal attendance at all events will be by invitation only, due to the COVID restrictions.

However, you may watch the services via Livestream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/

Event ID: Greenwood

Password: XDKHWL

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Northwest Harvest (www.northwestharvest.org), or the charity of your choice.