H. George Russell, IV, 82, formerly of Altoona, passed away March 1, 2019 at the Villa Personal Care Home and Interim Hospice Service of Johnstown, Pa. He was born on June 1, 1936; the son of the late H. George Russell, III and Helen (Tyler) Russell. He was married for 52 happy years to the late Patricia (Irish) Russell.
He was preceded in death by his brother John T. Russell and daughter in law Laurie Jean Russell, mother of the three Russell grandchildren. He is survived by a sister, Betty David, of Baldwinsville, New York, a daughter Jennifer Russell-Long of Johnstown, Pa. and her husband Timothy Long, grandchildren Mace, Colter and Cael Long, a son David Russell of Lancaster, Pa.
and grandchildren Meghan, Tyler and Michaela Russell, and David’s wife, Kandyce and grandchildren Aymee and Owen Baker; a great-grandchild and nieces and nephews. He worked as the Director of Student Affairs at the Penn State Altoona Campus from 1968 until he retired in 1994, after starting at University Park in 1963 as assistant to the Dean of Men. He had a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bucknell University, a Master of Science in Counselor Education from Penn State and completed the coursework and comprehensive exams for a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Penn State.
While at the Altoona Campus, he served on several University committees in the Commonwealth Educational System, as chairperson of the CES Leadership Conference Planning Committee and advisor to Alpha Lambda Delta, the Freshman Scholastic Honor Society. He was recognized on three separate occasions by the Altoona Campus Student Government Association for outstanding service. He had been part of the Altoona Rotary, chairman for several Chamber of Commerce Committees, Past Master with the Masonry, on the board of directors for numerous community organizations and college scholarship committees and a past elder at the Ward Ave Presbyterian Church.
Upon retiring from Penn State Altoona after 26 years, he was quoted as saying “I feel like I’m leaving my family. I never worked for anyone except Penn State. The Altoona Campus has undergone tremendous growth while I’ve been here, so it’s been a challenging and wonderful place to spend a career!
There were a lot of holes in the ground when I arrived, now it’s a college campus”. He enjoyed being an Altoona Curve season ticket holder in section 115 with his daughter Jenny and grandson Cael. He loved his elephant collection spanning origins from all over the world.
He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins fan. He loved seeing his grandchildren at marching band shows, concerts and sporting events of the I.U.P., Greater Johnstown YMCA and Westmont Hilltop swim teams in addition to tennis, cross country and track and field meets. As per his request, a Celebration of Life picnic will be held at an Altoona Curve baseball game for family and friends.
This event will take place on Sunday, June 30, 2019. Email at jen07swim@gmail.com for details. Donations may be sent to The H. George Russell Memorial Community and Social Fund at the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization The Center for Independent Living of South Central Pa 3013 Beale Ave.
B102 Altoona Pa. 16601. Private arrangements were made by The Good Funeral Home, Inc. at the Alto Reste Park in Altoona, Pa.
Read Less To send flowers in memory of H. George Russell IV, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
