Russell S Slade

Russell Stewart Rhind Slade was born December 2nd, 1920 in New York City, the second son of Ernest and Cornelia Slade. Rus grew up in Newark, NJ with his brother, Bruce. His father owned an electrical equipment factory, and they were relatively affluent until the Depression. His mother passed away when he was 12.

Rus had various jobs from riding a Good Humor Ice Cream tricycle to running a candy vending machine business.

Bruce gave him the money to attend Rutgers University. Then he served in the military and was shipped out to Tinian Island to work on B29 planes.

When he returned, he used the GI Bill to get a Masters in Forestry from Duke University.

He met Lou at a square dance; they fell in love and were married 6 months later.

They moved to Calais, Maine where he worked for a paper company. They had their first child, Silvia Carol who, sadly, died at two years old due to birth defects. Because of their experience with her, they did volunteer service to help other parents with mentally challenged children.

They moved to Sandpoint, Idaho where he became a forest-fire fighter. Here, Barbara was born.

Soon after, they moved to St. Helens, Oregon where Walt was born. Then they moved to St. Maries, Idaho where Rus worked as extension agent. Lou worked as a writer and photographer for the local paper.

In 1969 they moved to Lakewood where Rus worked with his brother Bruce for a short time, then started his own tree trimming business.

He also worked at the Jefferson County Outdoor Lab school, teaching kids about forestry (one of his great loves). They joined the Shepherd of the Hills church around 1970 and had a long involvement in many aspects of the church.

Lou passed away in 2004. Rus married Maggie in 2006. They lived happily at the Mt. Vista Assisted Living home until Rus’s death.

Rus is survived by his wife, Maggie Feudner, his daughter Barbara Slade and son Walt Slade, daughter-in-law Kathy and grandsons Isaac, Caleb and Micah.

The memorial will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 19th at 2:30pm. The church is located at 11500 West 20th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215. The phone number is 303-238-2482.

A reception will follow the service. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shepherd of the Hills shelter ministry that Rus had great love for.

Arrangements under the direction of Moore Howard Chapel, Denver, CO.