Russell Ross Babington

Russell was dealt a life of extreme difficulties. He struggled with a lifetime of mental illness. Russell was bi-polar and obsessive compulsive. Despite being diagnosed with these mental health challenges as boy; Russell was able to graduate from Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in science from George Mason University.

Like many mental illnesses, the severe onset of Russell's hit him as a young adult in his 20s. From then on, an over 40-year struggle began for Russell.

To put it mildly, Russell could be very difficult to be around. Often, he was verbally and physically abusive, especially to my parents. When Russell was in his 20s and 30s, he was big and strong. When he fell into a psychotic episode; he was downright frightening. My mother used to say that the stress that Russell put her through had taken 10 years off her life. Since Russell was a boy, doctors prescribed an array of medications for him; from powerful psychotic drugs to anti-depressants, to a host of other meds. Over the years, the meds and the constant stress of his illness took their toll on his mental and physical well-being. Russell was 61 when he died, he looked like he was 91.

As a family, we often found ourselves at a complete loss as to how to deal with and help Russell. When he was abusive, especially to our parents, it took much of our resolve to have any empathy for Russell.

But our constant search for some way to help Russ never ended. Most times, we had no answers. Now and again, something would appear promising, only to later learn it was not sustainable. As a family, though, Russell was never abandoned, never forgotten, and always looked after. Even after the passing of our parents, and right up to his last day. Our mother guided us to try and understand Russ by putting ourselves in his situation with his struggles. All our hearts broke for what Russ went through.

Empathy and compassion we did have. We loved Russell and he loved us.

When his illness and medications didn't have a grip on him, Russell was brilliant. He loved all sciences, the power of nature, radio, music, writing and poetry. He was fascinated by the movements of the stars, what gravitational laws meant, and what their forces and influences did. He loved how Einstein was impressed by the unseen forces that caused a compass needle to point north, and how that inspired Einstein on his own journey and to the discoveries of the laws of the universe. Russell's love for radio was built on the scientific foundation of how radio waves traveled through space and time. Russell loved long walks in nature. He is one of the few souls I know that would stop for a long while and be mesmerized by how the light fell through the leaves of a tree and he would study the beauty of it all. He saw the beauty of wind patterns, snow crystals, and how science and nature went together hand-in-hand. His love for music was also grounded in his love of science, writing and poetry. One of his favorite bands, The Moody Blues, was a progressive band that fused their psychedelic sounds with symphonic orchestrations. They

experimented in new sounds and it changed rock music. Russell loved their innovation. His favorite band was The Beatles. His favorite Beatle was George Harrison, and his favorite Beatle song was "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Like much of the world, Russell cried hard when John Lennon was killed.

When Russell cried, his emotion poured forth, when he laughed, it came from a place that was deep and sincere. Russell felt all of his emotions deeply and passionately. And he saw the beauty in the emotions he felt, both good and bad.

One of the more remarkable things about Russell was the acceptance and peace he came to with his mental-illness and with the struggles he endured that came with it. He had tough times dealing with specific predicaments, but most often he moved forward and dealt with the circumstance before him. Russell had courage.

He was always complimentary and genuinely touched by strangers, family and friends who helped him. As difficult as Russell could be, he had a heart that was wide open and full of love. This was the true essence of Russell. He was always thankful and grateful to those that helped him. He knew he could never do things well on his own and was genuinely thankful to those that reached out to him with a helping hand to assist him on the next step of his journey, whether it was big or small. He was most thankful for his parents and the family who took care of him through good times and bad. They were always there for him, and Russell never forgot that.

Russell used to often retell a story that our father told him as a little boy.

"You know Russell, when you walk through the leaves, they say your name. Did you know that?"

"What do you mean, Dad?" Russell asked.

"Well listen then, next time you walk through the leaves. They say your name: Russell Ross, Russell Ross, Russell Ross, as you walk through the leaves" Dad said.

Russell laughed and laughed at that. And from then on, whenever Russell walked through the leaves in the woods, he'd hear his name: Russell Ross, Russell Ross, Russell Ross. Russell's favorite book was The Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Maybe that is why. His favorite poem within the book was "The Song of The Open Road". The opening stanza is very fitting for Russell today.

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

- Walt Whitman

Go forth Russell Ross Babington, light-hearted, healthy, and free, wherever you may choose.

Russell is survived by his brothers, Bob, Bill, and Andy. His sisters-in-law, Tracy and Deanne; his nieces, Meghan and Paige; and his nephew, Sam.

A small graveside burial will be held for Russell January 14th, 2023, at 10am

The National Funeral Home & National Memorial Park 7482 Lee Highway

Falls Church, VA 22042 All Are Welcome!