Paul Edgar Russell, 89, of Paradise Valley passed away in the company of his family on February 16, 2014. Born in Roswell, NM, to Ruben Mathias Russell and Mary Carolina Parsons, Paul had seven brothers and sisters, including a twin sister, Pauline. Paul graduated from Roswell High School in May 1941, and then served in the Signal Corps in the Philippines and Japan during World War II; he was honorably discharged as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. After the war, he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering (1946) and Mechanical Engineering (1947) from New Mexico State University, and a Masters (1950) and PhD (1951) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Paul retired as a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Arizona State University, having previously served as Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Arizona, Dean of Engineering at Kansas State University, Program Director for Applied Science, Engineering and Technology for the West Campus of ASU (which he helped create), and Director of ASU's School of Construction and Technology. He worked as a design specialist and consultant for General Dynamics and various other companies in the U.S. and worldwide, served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Engineering Accreditation Commission for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and helped establish engineering programs in various countries. He was also a Fellow with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a member of numerous honorary and fraternal societies, and a recipient of many academic and professional awards. Paul loved horses, mules, the great outdoors, moose, margaritas, outhouses, poetry and songs, and he had a great, playful sense of humor. Paul loved and was very proud and supportive of his family. He leaves behind his wife of 70 years, Lorna Margaret Russell, and three children, Carol Potter of Tucson, AZ, Janice Cook (Bill) of Mesilla, NM and Gregory Russell (Kim) of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by eight grandchildren – Debbie (Court), Kristie (Andres), Siusla, Ariel (Britt), Shawn (Stephanie), Karath (Amanda), Erin (Daniel), and Brian (Alieshia) – and six great-grandchildren (Merin, Chase, Damon, Paige, Alexus and Keith). He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or your favorite academic program.
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2 Entries
March 6, 2014
Jean Adams
I am so sad to learn about Paul. I will always think of him in the present tense, not the past. He and Lorna are the best of the best. The best neighbors, the best friends, the best family. I know my parents in heaven are so happy to see his familiar face. (And he loved mules!) Love to Lorna and all of you.
February 24, 2014
Donna Higgins
Paul Russell was one of the finest men I have ever known. His gentleness, his honesty, his wonderful sense of humor, his love for his wife and family was a terrific model for us all. This world will be less with him gone. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family. My life is much richer because I knew him and Lorna. His legacy lives on in his children, his grandchildren, and all the folks who knew him. We loved him and we love all his family.
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