Chapter Eternal: Richard W. Russell ’55

I’m saddened to inform you that Richard W. Russell 1955 has entered the Chapter Eternal

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RUSSELL Richard W. Russell, age 75, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at The Ohio State Medical Center. Dick graduated from OSU with a BS in Education (1955) and later received his MS in Education (1967). He was a veteran of the United States Army, Third Armored Division, Ft. Knox. Coach Russell’s teaching and coaching career spanned many years. At Upper Arlington Schools, he was a teacher and swimming coach from 1957 to 1964. He then moved on to Kenyon College, where he was the swimming, golf and football coach from 1964 to 1968. At Bucknell University he was an Associate Professor. He was the men’s head swimming coach from 1968 to 1994 and he established the Bucknell water polo program and was instrumental in developing the sport througout the Eastern United States and founded the Collegiate Water Polo Association in 1970. This association originally only included a few teams and now as a result of his pioneering work in establishing this league, he laid the foundation for a nationwide conference that includes over 230 teams. Coach Russell won numerious conference championships in both swimming and water polo and competed in the NCAA’s many years. As a result of his consistent success, he was the first Bucknell coach to record more that 100 victories in two sports. Upon his retirement, he was elected into the Bucknell Hall of Fame as well as the Collegiate Water Polo Hall of Fame. He enjoyed golf, fishing, reading and watching the Buckeyes. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at The Ohio State University. Mr. Russell’s greatest love was his teaching and coaching career as well as his family. He adored spending time with his grandchildren and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Lou; his son, David (Jane) Russell, Danville, PA; his daughter, Jennifer (Ron) Lachey, New Albany, OH; grandchildren, Zach Russell; Mia, Ava and Blake Lachey; brother, John E. (Jodie) Russell, sister-in-law, JoAnn Wayson; niece and nephews, Lisa Frantz, Kevin Russell, Scott Russell and their families. Preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Evelyn Russell, brother William Russell. Family will receive friends 6–8 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Thursday at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, where the Funeral Service will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2008. Interment Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dick Russell Swimming and Water Polo Scholarship Fund attn: Bucknell University Athletics Lewisburg, PA 17837. To share a special memory with Mr. Russell’s family please visit www.schoedinger.com. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries