Ross F. Russell

Ross was greatly loved and admired for his integrity, decency, inventive mind, humor, humble demeanor and his gentle spirit. Born and raised in the farming community of Nemaha, Nebraska, he graduated from nearby Peru State Teachers College. He was a Naval Aviator during World War II, flying PV-2 Harpoon reconnaissance aircraft, and then went on to earn a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. In 1951, he joined DuPont in Wilmington, DE and was subsequently employed in research and manufacturing positions in Orange, TX, Camden, SC, and Chattanooga, TN, where he retired in 1982. Ross spent many years in service to others. He designed and built a Boy Scout meeting facility at Red Bank Presbyterian Church, helped organize and judge the Chattanooga Regional Science Fairs, and served on the Boards of Bachman Academy in Cleveland, TN and the Northside Neighborhood House. He served as Deacon and Elder at Rivermont Presbyterian Church, worked with several mission teams on construction projects in Haiti and Mexico, and was a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity up into his 80’s.

His wife, Grace M. Russell preceded him in death in 2001.

He leaves behind four children: Linda Koon, Nashville; Rogene (Doug) Howard, Dallas; Mark (Lynette) Russell, Wilmington, DE; and Steven (Beth) Russell, Chattanooga; sister Rita (Ted) Graves and brother Roger (Grace) Russell, plus a large extended family including eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 13 from 4-7 pm at Rivermont Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 1 pm at Rivermont Presbyterian Church with Dr. Daniel N. Sansbury officiating, followed by interment services with military honors at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, North Chapel at 3:30 pm. The family thanks Dr. Walter Parkhurst, the staff of Life Care of Red Bank, and Hospice of Chattanooga for the respectful care and compassion they have shown Ross during his final months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ross Russell Scholarship Fund at the Peru State College Foundation, PO Box 10, Peru, NE 68421 or to Rivermont Presbyterian Church for the Habitat for Humanity Fund.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist.