Russell Henry Stubbings

Russell H. Stubbings, age 95, peacefully passed away on the evening of June 20, 2011 in Seattle where he had been residing for the last four years with his wife, daughter and son-in-law. Russell was an adventurous man, constantly inventing new ways to approach life's challenges through the eyes of both a scientist and father. He loved a good challenge and always seemed to meet them straight on with great fortitude and heart. Born September 26, 1915 in Lyons, Illinois to Henry W. and Bessie Stubbings, Russell grew up in Lyons, Illinois spending a great deal of time on his grand-parents farm and fishing with his father and friends. He loved the outdoors, and had many dogs and even a pet fox when he was young. An avid baseball fan, he played baseball and hockey in College. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Chemical Engineering Degree in 1936 and began his career as a petroleum engineer when he was hired by Universal Oil & Petroleum.

While coming to California on business in 1937 he met Mabel Louise Green (Mimi) at the Cinderella Ballroom in Long Beach, California and filled up her dance card. They were both smitten and engaged on Christmas eve. Just a few days before March 28, 1938 Mimi got on the Santa Fe train in Los Angeles, California with a bouquet of "orange blossoms" and headed to Chicago, Illinois where her wedding was to take place. They were surrounded by loved ones as they were married in the Riverside Diocese, where Russell's parents were also married. They began a traveling life moving around the countryside to follow the burgeoning oil business. Their first son was born in December of 1939 and by the time he was four years old they had moved from Long Beach, California to Port Arthur, Texas; Oil City, Pennsylvania; Cushing, Oklahoma, and then to Whittier, California where their daughter and another son were born.

Russell's specialization was in developing aviation gasoline processes from 1937 to 1945. His technical knowledge was used by the U.S. Government to build and operate plants to make aviation gasoline for the U.S. military. This field was being developed in hopes of improving hi-octane aviation fuel's stability and storability for the military in preparation of the U.S. entrance into World War II allowing the U. S. military planes to fly longer and at a much greater distance.

After the war, Russell continued to be involved with the production of hi-octane gasoline from 1946 through 1965 in California. In 1951 the Stubbings family moved to Bakersfield, California where the oil refinery development was in full swing. In 1965 through 1978, Russell and Mabel Louise moved to Belgium and then London where he worked for Occidental Oil Company as overall Administrative Control of Foreign Refineries. In this capacity he traveled to France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Libya, Nigeria, Kuwait, Netherlands, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordon. When they returned to California they moved to Valencia, and then settled in Seattle, Washington in 2007 residing with their daughter Marilyn Herst and son-in law Joseph Herst where his wife of 73 years, Mimi still resides.

He will be sorely missed by his wife, Mimi Stubbings, his son, Russell E. Stubbings and his wife, Lucy and grandson Jason Stubbings live in Gig Harbor. Michael Stubbings, grandson lives in Wilmington N. Carolina and is stationed at Ft. Lejeune. Grand-daughter Sandi Stubbings Cook and husband Jeff, along with great-grand-daughter Courtney Cook live in Fallsbrook, California. His grandson Deming Maclise and wife Michelle along with his great-grand-daughters Sabine and Clara Maclise live in Seattle, Washington. Grand-daughter Hilary Maclise Benet lives in Spain with her husband Lucas and their soon to be born daughter, Siena Rose.

The "Celebration of His Life" will take place at his daughter's home in Seattle.

Donations in his name may be sent to "Seattle Animal Shelter", 2061 15th Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119.

Contact information: [email protected]