Russell W. Havens

Russ was born on March 24, 1937, in Buffalo, NY, to Walter Lee and Clara Josepha Olivia Havens (neé Anderson), both of whom predeceased him. He grew up in Kenmore, NY, where he attended elementary school, and Oneida, NY, graduating from Oneida High School in 1955.

Russ attended Houghton College in Houghton, NY, and then joined the US Navy in 1957, serving 10 years as a Dental Prosthetics Technician at Naval bases in San Diego, CA, in Kodiak, AK, and in Adak, AK. He was honorably discharged in 1967 with the intention of entering the ministry, attended Fort Wayne Bible College, Andrews University, and graduated from Keene State College in Keene, NH, with a BA in History and Education in 1974. He then studied at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, and graduated with an MA in Religion in 1976.

Russ taught elementary school in Wisconsin and New Hampshire, subsequently serving as the pastor of the Pawcatuck Seventh Day Baptist Church in Westerly, RI, where he was ordained in 1978. He later went on to work as a Programmer and Project Leader for two financial institutions in San Diego, CA, and then for the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA), from which he retired in 2002. Upon retirement, Russ relocated to his much loved home, which he referred to as his paradise, located in the heart of the White Mountains in Randolph, NH.

Russ married Paula Lorraine Hazen, then of Canastota, NY, in 1958 and the couple had three children who survive them: Lori Ellen Havens (Hank Knight) of Westerly, RI, Teresa Anne Shea of Uncasville, CT, and Timothy Russell Havens (and his wife, Tara) of Verona Island, ME. He is also survived by his four grandchildren and one great grandson: Brittany Shea (and her son, Finnian Dodge), Gabrielle Shea, Jeremy Frey, and Grayson Havens. His youngest brother, Kenneth Gage Havens, was killed while serving in the war in Vietnam in 1969, and middle brother, Robert Frank Havens, passed away on July 18, 2024.

Russ enjoyed walking, hiking, climbing, and was an avid jogger for many years. He found great contentment tending the grounds around his home. He enjoyed reading since early childhood when his grandmother read to him, fostering his love of books. Like his mother, he loved photography. He combined this interest with his computer skills to produce a wide variety of videos and photo slideshows, and to maintain three websites, including one devoted to his family. He was an avid computer gamer.

Russ’s spiritual interests extended over a wide range throughout his life. Although he was ordained as a Christian pastor, he later disconnected himself from all organized religion, but God was not done working in his life. In the last year of Russ’s life, he came full circle spiritually, back to his Lord.

Memorial service details will be announced at a later date.