Name: Visitation for Russell Friend
Start: 2019-11-14T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-11-14T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services by Schoedinger - Hilltop

Friend, Russell
1933 - 2019
Russell E. Friend, age 86, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2019. Russell was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He graduated from West High School in 1951, was a life time member of St. John's Lutheran Church on the Hilltop and was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church by the Sea in Nags Head, North Carolina. Russ was a retired principal from the Columbus Public Schools. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara, their precious daughter Lori Lee Gerber and his sister Mary Lou (Don) Fritz. He is survived by their three daughters, Diana Lee (Harry) Seaman, Vicki Lee (Addison) Clark, and Teri Lee (Pat) O'Conner; three grandchildren, Donnie (Kristen) Naegel, Greg (Jessica) Gerber, and Lauren (Spencer) Conte; four great-grandchildren, Keira and Jaxon Naegel, Alexandra Conte, and Grayson Gerber; and numerous nieces and nephews. His family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8pm Thursday, November 14 2019 at Heart and Hope by Schoedinger, 3030 W. Broad St., Cols, Ohio 43204 and 10-11am on Friday, November 15 2019 at St. John's Lutheran, 2745 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43204, where his service will begin at 11am. Interment following at Green Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Ohio Health Foundation, 3430 Ohio Health Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43202 (payable to Doctors Hospital). To leave a memory or offer condolences, please visit, www.heartandhope.com

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Russell Friend

Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.

17 Entries

ADS.SR

November 3, 2023

THANK YOU SIR .... I Chose SOMETHING

Allen Schilling

November 15, 2019

I was in Russ, s PE class in 1963. I was lucky enough to be on the 63' - 64' basketball team, City Champs. Russ was a great coach. I will always remember being in PE class, and him telling us the President had been shot. Will always remember him as a great coach, as well as a great mentor to young men. He helped me on the path to becoming a man and I will always thank him for that.

Emily Langdon

November 14, 2019

I know his family loved him dearly, and he is now watching them with an overflowing cup from Heaven. Praying for comfort for his family and friends, especially for his daughter, Pastor Diana.

Emily Langdon

November 14, 2019

I know his family loved him dearly, and he is now watching them with an overflowing cup from Heaven. Praying for comfort for his family and friends, especially for his daughter, Pastor Diana.

1984

November 13, 2019

John Allen

November 13, 2019

To The daughters of Russ; Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. While I did not work with him, or socialize with him, or play tennis with him, I still felt like he was my friend. He had that effect on people. As a school teacher myself, we were in the same business, but he had that something extra about him that made you feel as if you were his best friend when you came in contact with him. He was always upbeat whenever I saw him, and I admired him for that. His surname certainly did fit him. Lets all be thankful that we had the pleasure of his wonderful personality for as long as we did.
John Allen
Grove City

Anthony Sankey Sr

November 12, 2019

I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR CLOSED DOOR TALK .....SIMPLY
PUT THANK YOU SIR

Cindi Bean (Katka)

November 12, 2019

You touched a lot of lives at Brookhaven High School and through your love and guidance gave hope to many. May you walk the golden streets of Heaven now and rest.

carol ann angelos

November 12, 2019

we will miss both your father and your mother---praying for you in your time of sorrow---love from every one at the jolly roger and most of all carol ann

Penny Collins

November 12, 2019

Sending My Sincerest Condolences To The Family Of Mr.Friend He Was My Principal At Brookhaven High School Very Nice Man Praying For The Family

Penny Collins

November 12, 2019

Sending My Sincerest Condolences To The Family Of Mr.Friend He Was My Principal At Brookhaven High School Very Nice Man Praying For The Family

Vicki Blubaugh

November 11, 2019

To all who love Russ.
He touched so many lives by being a kind, caring human being. I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Friend since I was in high school. He had a way of making you feel important. As I have had the opportunity to reconnect through St. John's Lutheran Church, I am still amazed at his joy for life, his love of God, and his ability to make anyone he meets feel valued. Thank God and Russ for all he has done to love others. His laughter and kindness will be greatly missed. May we carry on his kindness and love with whom we meet. Peace, Hugs, and Comfort, Vicki Shook Blubaugh

Diane (Westlake) Poston

November 11, 2019

I could write a book about how much Russ imparted in my family's lives. Our parents were close friends, and I remember his father before I ever knew Russ and Barb. Our children grew up together in St. John Church,as I did, and participated in the Christmas and Easter pageants. He knew every child by name and loudly greeted them to their delight. He shared his love of the Outerbanks in NC, and we took family vacations there because of them. On our trips back home, he always asked in church if we had our quota of Whitey's yet. He was a special friend and leader. We will miss he and Barb forever.

November 11, 2019

Rest in Peace Russ. I remember our grade school days at West Broad when you and I were "flag boys" for the kids crossing at Broad and Hague, plus our many high school experiences at West Jr. and Sr. Highs. You were always a great friend.

Harry Hubbard, Class of '51

John Satala

November 10, 2019

Rest in Peace dear Russ, great friend and tennis partner.
John Satala.