David B. Russell

David B. Russell obituary

David B. Russell

David Russell Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 15, 2011.

SPRINGFIELD - David Bates Russell of Springfield passed away on Dec. 12, 2011, at age 98. Although Dave was born in Erie, Pa., in 1913, and later lived in Syracuse, N.Y., his Vermont roots go back seven generations. In 1923, his family returned to the Russell homestead in Shrewsbury, Vt., realizing a longstanding dream. There, Dave acquired his love of farm life. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1932.
During college, Dave worked summers at Jones and Lamson in Spring?eld, running the company's last Hartness ?at turret lathe. Over the next 51 years, he worked at J&L, Lovejoy's, Bryant's and Bryant Computer Products as a machinist, draftsman, methods man, liaison engineer, cost estimator and personnel administrator.
Dave married Marjorie Blodgett in 1941. In 1944, the Russells bought a farm on Parker Hill in Spring?eld and raised their family there. Dave farmed full time for five years in the late 1940s and later continued to farm nights and weekends after going back to work in the shop. Over the years, he divided his spare time among dairy farming, raising horses, square dancing with Precision Valley Squares and playing a variety of musical instruments. He retired from Bryant's in 1978.
Writing was always important in his life. A collection of his poems entitled "Verses from a Vermont Hilltop" was published in 2005. In addition to writing poetry and keeping daily journals, he published articles about the history of Shrewsbury, Vt.
Dave is survived by Marjorie, his wife of 71 years; his son, David B. Russell Jr. of Burlington, Mass.; his daughters, Patricia R. Saylor of South Windsor, Conn., and Marjorie R. Raymond of Chardon, Ohio; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at Springfield Hospital Special Care Unit for the wonderful care they have provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156; or to the First Congregational Church UCC, 77 Main St., Springfield, VT 05156.
A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church in Springfield on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt.

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Sign David Russell's Guest Book

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December 9, 2022

Donna LeClair posted to the memorial.

March 14, 2014

Bruce Fernie posted to the memorial.

September 10, 2012

Chris Russell posted to the memorial.

Donna LeClair

December 9, 2022

I cannot imagine anyone not liking Dave Russell. He was so likeable, so congenial, so knowledgeable about so many things. My husband and I square danced with him and Marjorie, attended his poetry reading in Chester, and I continue to enjoy his poems. We also shared a love of animals, esp. dogs. A remarkable, memorable man. Great memories!

Bruce Fernie

March 14, 2014

I am very late to get this news but just wanted to send my condolences. Mr Russell was a wonderful man and very kind to our family when we moved to Vermont in 1969. May he rest in peace.

Chris Russell

September 10, 2012

Additional photos of my Grandfather and the Russell family are available here:
http://chris-russell.smugmug.com/Family/In-Memory-of-David-Russell-Sr/

DBR 1999

Chris Russell

September 10, 2012

Winston Curtis

September 10, 2012

So sorry to hear of Mr. Russell's passing. I knew him from Bryant Chucking and Grinder. He gave me a job in 1973 when I really needed one. He was a kind and thoughtful man who was very well liked at the shop. My sincere condolences. May he Rest in Peace.

March 28, 2012

To David's Family,
What a special man he was. Not at all what he appeared! There was more under that old farm hat than he would have folks believe. His life is to be celebrated. We square danced with him and Marjorie for years and smile to remember the fun. Our lives are richer for having shared time together. Our sympathy for your loss, Bill & Donna LeClair - Grand Isle, VT

Glenn Buckingham

January 1, 2012

Dear Marge, Peggy, Davey and Pat,
Linda, Sabrina and I were so very sorry to hear of Dave's passing away. We will remember all of our memories of him always. We wish you strength and comfort in the thought that he was loved by so many people, us included.

Love

December 20, 2011

Dear Pat and Rick and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Russel's passing. Pat, there are no words to give you to ease your sorrow, but to those of us who have lost our parents, we can feel your pain. I have his book of poems, and recently have reread them. He surely was a Vermonter! Love you!

Sylvia Scofield

Peter and Sandy MacGillivray

December 20, 2011

Dear Pat, Mrs. Russell and family,
We are very sorry for your loss and for not being with you last Saturday. We were in Connecticut for the funeral of the mother of a classmate from college. I remember your Dad making me feel very comfortable the first time I met him and realizing what wonderful parents you had. He will certainly be missed by all.
Peter and Sandy MacGillivray

December 17, 2011

I am so very sorry for your loss. He always had a ready smile. We had horses in common. He wrote the poem "Slabwood" about my mother Alice Kendall. He was a lot of fun when he was in our SHS Alumni Variety shows. He will be sorely missed!
Louise Kendall Peale

Lynn Meins

December 17, 2011

Dear Marge, Peggy, Davey and Pat,
Bruno and I were so very sorry to hear of Dave's passing away. We will treasure our memories of him always. As Christine said, it is the end of an era for us. We wish you strength and comfort in the thought that he was loved by so many people, us included.

Betty Wall

December 16, 2011

I will remember him sitting tall on a beautiful grey/white Arab with a smile on his face. I will miss the chance meetings about town and all our "critter" talks.
Our deepest Sympathy to all his family,
Betty Pixley Wall & Wally Wall

Winter woods in Normandy / souvenir of days and years spent in the woods and pastures behind your farm

Christine Rolland

December 16, 2011

Dear Marge, Dave, Pat, Peggy, and all,

So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. It's rather like having a final door shut on childhood. Marge, you and Dave are so much an integral part of so many wonderful memories -- learning to ride on Clinker and Blackie, berry picking, skating parties, the woods, the pond, your barns, your kitchen with the woodstove with the pipe on which I burned my favorite hat...Hayrides, Christmas carolling. The list could go on and on. Dave on Vespra or playing the ukelele or accordeon or telling one of his stories, or on the tractor pulling a load of hay, or helping get the show ring ready for the 4-H horseshows. And once adulthood was reached, wonderful evenings visiting, sitting on top of the hill with the view across towards Ascutney and just enjoying each other's company. I am sorry I can't be with you, but you are all in my heart and our lives are richer for having had the privilege of living so close to your family. Love,

Rich Willett

December 16, 2011

Hi Patti, I'm sad for you and David and your children. Your parents were unique and special people. I can still remember when I was with Caye's parents
and we went to pay for the blueberries we picked. Your parents showed up on horse back. I was so impressed. What nice people they were. Your Dad knew I was a little scared and the nice guy that he was, he had me feeding his horse a few minutes later. God bless them for 71 years together. They were certainly were soul mates. They were a handsome couple.

I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Rich Willett South School Spfld. Vt.

Wyn Calkins

December 16, 2011

Dear Pat and family, I was saddened to hear of your great loss and pray that our Lord will give you great peace that your Dad is with God, his angels and holy ones!

As the apostle Paul stated in his first letter to the Thessalonians, Chapter 4, (NIV)"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

May the Lord Jesus bless you specially during this difficult time.

December 16, 2011

Dear Pat, I,m preety sure we go way back to Chelly Russell and her boys camp. in Shrewsbury. We made a trip to your farm in Springfield. I,m sorry for your loss. Sincerely yours, Jane Plumley Brockman

December 16, 2011

Pat and family, So sorry for your loss. I have many good memories of your dad. Sandy Rolfe George

Kelly Flynn

December 16, 2011

Mrs. Russell, David, Pat and Peggy,

What a blessing to have Mr. Russell with you for so many years. I had forgotten that he was born the same year as my Mom - she ahs been gone for so long. I remember Mr. Russell's quick wit and sense of humor. One dark night driving us home from somewhere, he slammed on the brakes, shut off the car lights and yelled "bear" as a HUGE rat ran across Park Street by Parks and Woolson. He probably knew we would be grossed out by a rat, but would laugh at a bear! I think we were singing "Peanut sittin on a rilroad track...." :) I loved Mr. Russell; I am so glad I got to see him this past summer. As I pray for you in your loss, I will smile knowing that he is entertaining friends in heaven with his delightful stories and poems.

David & Doris Witham

December 15, 2011

So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

December 15, 2011

Dear Pat & family--So sorry to hear about your Dad. Bruce worked with him at one of the shops. Our prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. Bruce and Midge Tucker

Judy Blish

December 15, 2011

Pat and family,
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was wonderful man. I loved to watch him in the canoe races. I worked at Bryant with him and I have his book of poems. He was always fun to be with.
Judy and Charlie Blish

Ron & Barbara Higgins

December 15, 2011

Pat and family,
We are so sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Ron and Barbara Higgins

Don Thomas

December 15, 2011

Pat and Family,
We are sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I worked with him a Bryants for several years. He was a great man.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Don&Lorette Thomas

Margaret Bingham

December 15, 2011

Marjorie and Family, My Thoughts and prays are with you. I have one of his poetry books that he gave my Mother when her and Marjorie shared a hospital room. I read Mom several of the poems from it.

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Sign David Russell's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

December 9, 2022

Donna LeClair posted to the memorial.

March 14, 2014

Bruce Fernie posted to the memorial.

September 10, 2012

Chris Russell posted to the memorial.