Russell Dean Savage

Russ was born in Wichita, Kansas, and spent his early years in Belle Plaine, a nearby farm town. In January of 1955, upon the advice from the family doctor who believed the Arizona climate would have beneficial health effects, his parents brought him and his brother to Tucson.

Russ attended Amphitheater public schools and graduated from the University of Arizona. He was hired by a campus friend in 1969 to manage the first Alphagraphics printshop business, which later became an international chain. This was the start of his life-long career in a variety of public and private IT positions.

Russ was a father, son, brother, an avid photographer, published poet, and onetime co-editor of a quarterly poetry magazine. He retired in 2010, and shortly afterwards returned to live near his childhood home ground northwest of Tucson in the shadow of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Russ is survived by mother Inez, brother Neal, son Eric, daughter Laura, and grandson Keian. He was preceded in death by his father, George.

A celebration of life will be held in the Lomaki House at Tohono Chul, 7366 N Paseo del Norte, Tucson, Saturday, January 31, 2:00pm-4:00pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Sierra Club or The Nature Conservancy.