Russell Sparks Bamert

RUSSELL SPARKS BAMERT, 76, died June 7, 2022, after a brave fight with cancer and a brief stint in palliative care. He was born in Las Cruces on June 6, 1946. He was the only child of Ruth and Walter Bamert. Russell lived most of his life on the beloved family farm in the North Valley. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1964, after scoring many points with the Bulldog varsity basketball team. While attending New Mexico State University, he discovered his passion for photography and completed his studies in the Department of Journalism. That passion led Russell to a successful career as a professional photographer. He freelanced and worked on assignment for publications including New Mexico Magazine, Southwest Art, Desert, and Pentax Life and contributed images to books published by National Geographic and the Smithsonian. He was the longtime staff photographer for Mountain Dreams Publishing. Russell’s work has been included in solo and group exhibitions in many galleries and museums. A lifelong sports fan and athlete, Russell enjoyed playing league basketball and softball for decades. In his later years, he loved taking his grandchildren out to play catch and shoot baskets. Russell was a serious movie lover and was exchanging film recommendations with his daughter right up to the end! Of the many organizations that he supported, he was especially committed to his volunteer work with the Remember Bataan Foundation in honor of his uncle and namesake, Charles Russell Sparks, who died after surviving the Bataan Death March. Russell was a loyal friend, maintaining a remarkable number of friendships from his childhood. He enjoyed socializing with the Classic Bulldogs LCHS alumni group, made numerous friends as a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and ate lunch on Fridays at Spanish Kitchen for many years, first with his father and then with his dear cousin Robert Faubion. Russell is survived by his daughter Alison Brook Bamert (Lee Munson), his grandchildren Zoe Isadora Munson and Weston Sparks Munson, and his partner of many years, Lily Hwang. Russell was able to attend his own celebration of life with friends in attendance in the summer of 2021, organized by his close friend Rosa Marquez. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. For online condolences logo to  www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com. To view a slideshow about his life and work visit https://tinyurl.com/RussellBamert.  In honor of his memory, please encourage the men in your life to get their PSA levels checked. Donations in Russell’s honor can be made to Cowboys for Cancer Research or the cause of your choice.