Dr. Charles E. Russell

1956 - 2012

Dr. Charles E. Russell, Ph.D., 55, died peacefully in his home on January 26, 2012. He was born October 27, 1956 in Roxbury, CT to Janice Wheeler Russell and Charles A. Russell Esq. He lived in Allentown with his wife, Winifred Neifert Russell.
A 1978 graduate of Wesleyan University, Charlie received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Colorado State University in 1983. After graduation he moved to France where he worked as a research assistant at the University de Paris Sud in Orsay, followed closely by post-doctoral work in Paris at the University de Paris VI. Returning to the states in 1984, he continued with post- doctoral work at Iowa State University before teaching two years at Kansas State University. Charlie settled in Allentown, PA in the fall of 1988 and began teaching at Muhlenberg College where he found his home.
Charlie was an active member of the American Chemical Society and received several summer faculty research grants that allowed him to continue working with students during the summer. His recent research interest was in organometallic chemistry. Other long-term interests included p-allyl palladium chemistry and the development of enanitoselective alkylation reactions. He was currently working as a contributing co-author of Comprehensive Organic Transformations for Dr. R. C. Larock.
Having lost his father early in life Charlie was raised by his mother, herself a teacher, to love learning, books, and travel. His interests continued to expand as he became an avid cyclist, music lover, model train enthusiast, and accomplished cook. He frequently rode in the Bike MS 150 events, most recently completing both the PA Dutch and City to Shore rides in the summer of 2010. He did volunteer work with Community Bike Works for fifteen years, helping out with their Earn a Bike classes in the fall and spring. He treasured his family, friends, and students and loved everything about his life.
He is survived by his wife, Winnie; his cousins Jeffrey Wheeler and his wife Susan Kiesel of Sheffield MA, Heidi Wheeler and her husband John Gould of the British Virgin Islands, and Candy Voytershark and her husband Timer of Roxbury, CT.
A memorial service will be held on March 15, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. in Eigner Memorial Chapel on the campus of Muhlenberg College. Contributions may be made in his memory to Muhlenberg College Chemistry Department, 2400 Chew St. Allentown, PA 18104 to support the REBCS endowment fund for undergraduate summer research.
The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall is honored to handle his arrangements.