Russell Craig Bunker

by family on May 2, 2024, after a brave battle against prostate cancer. Russ was born in Longview, WA on April 26, 1954, to Marguerite and Kenneth Bunker. The trio later moved to Portland, OR where younger sister Janet was born. They lived in the Parkrose School District for many years. The Bunker family enjoyed numerous vacations to state and national parks where they enjoyed the beautiful outdoors. Russ is survived by his partner, Nancy Graves sister Janet Bunker Moore, and niece Madeleine Moore.

Russ was a registered geologist licensed in several states. He had over 40 years consulting experience in Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington supporting and managing environmental and geotechnical projects. He led interdisciplinary teams and worked on negotiations with regulatory agencies.

Russ fell in love with the mountains in junior high school. He was active in the Boy Scouts and a member of the local search and rescue organization. During these years he began hiking and rock climbing in Oregon and Washington. He also took an Outward-Bound course centered around Mt. Jefferson which he credited for his confidence in wilderness travel. Russ went to Oregon State University and graduated with Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1977. While at school he started mountain climbing in the Pacific Cascades– summitted Mt. Hood many times, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Ranier, Mt. Washington and the North and Middle Sisters.

Russ then went to Graduate School at University of Texas- Austin where he earned his Master’s degree in Geology in 1980. His Master’s thesis was in mapping the Missoula flood deposits in south-central Washington. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at UT, but the love of the Pacific NW and the mountains was something he missed so he headed back to Oregon.

Russ’s other outdoor interests included cross-country and telemark skiing. He went back country skiing in Canada each spring for over 10 years. He and his partner Nancy enjoyed skiing at Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and Crater Lake.

As important as his love of outdoor adventures was his love of reading history, climatology, baseball, finance, physical fitness, periodicals, and humor. When not reading, Russ loved to experiment in the kitchen. It was always scratch made pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving and molasses Bear cookies at Christmas. An additional interest was local live theater productions. Speaking of theater, Russ was good at entertaining us; he was a captivating storyteller and a quick-witted humorist. Along with this, he often made amateur cartoon drawings of birds and animals.

Later in life Russ began volunteering for trail maintenance with the Trailkeepers of Oregon, Washington Trails Association, and Gray Wolf Trail Crew. His personal highlights included trips to the Olympic Mountains in Washington.

A Celebration of Life will be held:

October 25, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

World Forestry Center, Mt. Hood Room

4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

ZOOM link available – please email [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may made be made to:

 Prostate Cancer Foundation

https://cure.pcf.org/site/Donation2?2441.donation=form1&df_id=2441&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=HR

C&utm_medium=HRCmenu

 Gray Wolf Trail Crew, Rebecca Wanagel, PO Box 2672, Port Angeles, WA 98362