Robert Stewart Russell

ROBERT STEWART RUSSELL Robert Stewart Russell, age 73, passed away in the comfort of his Vero Beach home on February 1, 2011 after a long battle with Alzheimer 's disease. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara Roe Russell of Vero Beach, son Robert "Stewart" Russell (Penny) of Marietta, Georgia, daughter Audrey Testerman (James) of Danbury, Connecticut, Andrew Russell (Ryan) of Vero Beach, and seven grandchildren - Taylor, Justin, Will & Aerin Russell and Todd, Kate and Jack Petersen. He is also survived by his sister Irene Young (Wayne) of Talbott, Tennessee and brother James Russell (Marie) of Las Vegas, Nevada. A prior marriage ended in divorce. Bob was born in Coatbridge, Scotland on November 16, 1937 to Lillias and Robert "Bert" Russell. They immigrated to the United States when Bob was a child, shortly after WWII, developing their new life in Queens, New York. He would often speak of the jobs he did as a child - a paper boy, the son of an apartment superintendent cleaning hallways and pulling dumbwaiters then his night job in the packing department of Black Starr and Gorham. During this time he perfected his soccer abilities playing on many of the competitive club teams in the NYC area and later passed his love for soccer to his children. Thirty-six years in the Bell Telephone System began with New York Telephone, included several rotations to AT&T and ended with his final position in AT&T Network Systems (later Lucent) as Vice-President, Marketing and Sales. Once described by a boss as one of the most creative people he knew and that you did not "supervise" Bob, you just rode along the creative wave he developed. Bob was a leader in the mechanization of maintenance and repair systems within the Bell Operating Companies in the late 70's and 80's. In his personal life, he was proud of his children – their educations, careers and families and he loved travel and his time with Barb. He has coached competitive youth soccer, was on the Substance Abuse Council, worked with S.C.O.R.E. and loved telling stories. In these last years he received the kindness of many especially the Sunday breakfast group from Our Savior Lutheran Church, the Friday evening crowd at the Moorings, Stephanie of Hospice, caring Dillon, Dr. Shafer, Judi, Joanne Legg and others. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 12 at 10 am at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 Sixth Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. Those who want to honor Bob's memory with a donation are encouraged to consider the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County, 2300 5th Avenue, Suite 150, Vero Beach 32960 or Hospice VNA of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach 32960 or a charity of their choice. A guestbook is available at www. lowtherfuneralhome.com. paid obituary