Russell Walter Cornett

Dr. Russell Walter Cornett was born December 18, 1947, in Brandon, Manitoba. He died April 23, 2022, in Victoria, BC, after an intense and valiant struggle with cancer. Russ grew up in Brandon with frequent visits to relatives in British Columbia, a location he loved all his life. Russ was an ardent, considered, and dedicated lifelong learner, interested particularly in philosophy, politics, and the law. Consequently, despite significant limited life opportunities and supports, he achieved substantial educational accomplishments: Bachelor of Arts (Brandon University), Master of Arts (University of British Columbia [UBC]), Teacher’s Certificate (UBC), Doctor of Philosophy (University of Calgary), and Bachelor of Laws (University of Calgary). Russ taught various courses related to ethics, law, and philosophy at several universities and colleges, including UBC, the University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University, and Douglas College. He also published several articles in academic journals relating to ethics and normative reasoning.

Russ was called to the Bar of British Columbia on November 18, 1988, and to the Bar of Ontario on January 24, 2002. His preferred areas of legal practice and experience were in criminal law, trials, and appeals, dealing with a variety of criminal offences at all levels of court, including the Provincial Court of BC, the Supreme Court of BC, the BC Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. From 2002 until 2015, Russ was an Assistant Crown Attorney in Windsor, Ontario, where he had extensive prosecutorial experience, almost exclusively in trial court. In 2018, Russ retired and moved with his spouse of 34.5 years, Dr. Beverly Leipert, to Victoria, BC, where he anticipated a long and healthy retirement filled with his many interests.

Russ enjoyed analytical thinking, discussing, and the life of the mind. Travel, especially to Europe, reading, music, poetry, art, games of chess and go, and fine wine were also passions. Many of these interests and activities were enjoyed with Beverly and Russ’s good friend Len Scott.

Russ was an exceptional human being, remembered for his great intellect, kindness, determination, and humanistic approach to life. We mourn his passing and cherish his memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the Cornett family.