Russell Hefty

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Russ was a strong champion for conservation at the city and county level. He also worked hard in winter to groom our ski trails. He will be missed.

Russ was instrumental in making Elver Park the top cross country skiing trail in Madison and was much appreciated by the Nordic ski community.

RIP Gooseinator. Your conservation legacy in Madison will long be remembered.

I worked with Russ at Madison Parks about 20 years ago. What a kind man, an earnest soul with a passion and dedication for our natural resources. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Madison's landscape is left for the better. I think he was ahead of his time.

I remember all the snowshoe hikes, guided by Russ, including Baxter Hollow and Quincy Bluff, searching for ice curtains:)

We're so sorry that Russ has passed. We knew him through The Prairie Enthusiasts and his work in the City of Madison Conservation Parks. Our fondest memory of him is from when we visited his beloved Owen Conservation Park, we ran into him there. He proceeded to drop what he was doing and gave us an exquisite tour of the restoration worksite that he and others were working on. We could tell that his pride was beaming - as it should've been! The world of conservation and ecosystem restoration...

Sincere condolences to the Hefty family. I remember you all fondly. We watched the boys grow up as neighbors on Everest Drive for many years. We are so sorry for your loss. Warm regards, Del & Linda Schlueter

I rarely go into one of Madison's conservation parks without thinking of Russ. We were walking in Cherokee Marsh yesterday and I thought of Russ while admiring how well the water lilies he planted were doing. Rest in Peace.