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Note: George W. Russell (1920-2004) Oskaloosa Daily Herald, April 28, 2004; Obituary written by son Doug, April 19, 2004
George William "Rip" Russell passed away peacefully in Tacoma, Washington, April 16, 2004 after a short illness. Born November 21, 1920 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Don and Emma Rosenberger Russell, George, affectionately known as "Papa" to his family, grew to adulthood in central Iowa. He was a 1943 graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in architectural engineering. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Newman, on June 12, 1943.
He and his future wife Mary's families were well rooted in the city of Oskaloosa. George's father, Don Brooke Russell, was City Engineer from 1921 until his death in 1942. His mother, Emma Rosenberger Russell, taught school in Oskaloosa for many years until her death in 1976. His wife Mary's father, Ross Byron Newman, was Superintendent of Schools in Oskaloosa from 1923 until his death in a car accident in 1937. Mary's mother, the former Elizabeth Dodson Newman, and Mary's brother, John Newman, lived out their adult lives in Oskaloosa; John was the owner and proprietor of Newman's Funeral Home for many years in Osky. George's maternal great uncle, Absalom Rosenberger, was president of William Penn College from 1890 to 1909 and later president of Whittier College in California.
Many of his favorite stories revolved around his early life in Oskaloosa. He often reminisced about delivering groceries by horse and wagon during the depression and forming his own dance band, the "Top Hatters", which played for various functions in the Mahaska County area in the 1930's.
George and Mary both graduated from Oskaloosa High School. While there he was active in music and art, winning acclaim both for his tuba playing and his distinctive and humorous artwork. In the 1950's he designed and built many prominent residences in the Oskaloosa area and in 1960 designed the current "Osky" High and Webster Elementary schools, as well as the men's dormitory at Penn College in 1966.
During World War II he worked for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, California and was proud of his service in the Coast Guard Reserve. After the war he worked as an architect and engineer for Marsh, Smith and Powell Architects in Los Angeles and Tinsley, Higgins, Lighter and Lyons Architects in Des Moines, Iowa, before establishing his own firm in 1954. Later, as a partner in the firm of Kendall, Griffith, Russell and Artiaga, he planned and designed many eminent buildings and residences in and around Des Moines, including the, then, controversial Ruan Center. In 1977 he moved to Sun City, Arizona and worked as Chief Architect of the State of Arizona until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, Beta Theta Pi, and an honorary member of Tau Sigma Delta (architecture) and Phi Mu Alpha (music) fraternities.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Newman Russell, of Tacoma; brother, Charles "Chuck" Russell and his wife Emily, of Oskaloosa; and sons Dr. Don Russell (William Penn College, class of 1968) and his wife Barbara of Tacoma; Doug Russell, of Tacoma (William Penn College, 1967-1969); George "Rip" Russell, Jr. and his wife Janis, of Iowa City, Iowa; and a daughter, Ann Russell Rodriguez and her husband Ernesto, of Olmsted Falls, Ohio. In addition he leaves behind eight grandchildren: Chad, Michelle, Maia, Daniel, Nicholas and Anjuli Russell; and Marianne and Ernie Rodriguez. All will miss their "Papa".
Memorials or contributions may be made to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Arrangements by Commencement Bay Mortuary of Tacoma. Internment will be at a later date at Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Iowa, next to his parents and grandparents.
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