Arthur Russell MacKENZIE

January 20, 1932 - May 26, 2025

Arthur "Russ" MacKenzie was born on January 20, 1932, in Yakima, Washington, to Mary Short and Arthur Russell MacKenzie. Following his father's untimely death, Russ and his family moved to Seattle to be near his grandparents. His family were among the early pioneers of Seattle, and that heritage remained a source of pride throughout his life.

Russ graduated from Highline High School, where he balanced his studies with work at Ivar's Acres of Clams - his first job and a connection to family, as Ivar was his mother's cousin. He went on to serve proudly in the U.S. Navy as an electrician aboard the submarine Pomodon.

After his service, Russ earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington, graduating cum laude. He began his career at Boeing, where he worked on major defense and aerospace projects, including the Air Force Erector Transporter truck for the Minuteman Missile and the iconic 707 jet. Later, he became manager of the JD Ott Company, a precision machine shop producing airplane parts for Boeing. Under his leadership, the company modernized its operations with advanced CNC machining.

Russ married Deanie Langlois, and together they raised three children: P. MacKenzie Hawley, Russell MacKenzie, and Kimberly MacKenzie (deceased). He was a proud grandfather to Matt Hawley, Ryan Hawley, Kimberly Williams, Megan Hawley, and Katie MacKenzie; and a great-grandfather to four beloved great-grandchildren.

A man of many passions, Russ had a lifelong love of cars. He restored a 1928 Model A Ford that earned third place in a national competition. He also enjoyed beekeeping, tending to his flower gardens, and celebrating his Scottish heritage. In the early 1990s, he served as President of the Clan MacKenzie Society in the Americas for three years.

Russ was the kind of person who could fix anything. He approached life with a "let's figure it out" attitude that inspired everyone around him. His determination, kindness, creativity, love of learning, and deep affection for animals left a lasting mark on his family and all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John MacKenzie, his wife, Deanie, and his daughter, Kimberly. He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

As Umberto Eco once wrote:

"I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us - we are formed by little scraps of wisdom."

Russ shared many such scraps of wisdom, and we carry them with us always.

A memorial service is pending.