Russell L. Newcomb

Russell L. (Rusty) Newcomb
1938 ~ 2014
Russell L. (Rusty) Newcomb of Boise died Saturday, October 11, 2014 at home, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren, after a short but very valiant battle with cancer.
Graveside services will be conducted at 1pm on Friday, October 17, 2014 at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise.
Russell Leroy Newcomb was born May 5, 1938 to Lebana E. (Billie) and Robert R. Newcomb in Boise, Idaho. He spent his early years in Warren, Idaho where his family was engaged in gold mining. He attended schools in Boise, Warren, Ahsahka, Riggins and North Junior High in Boise. After graduation from Boise High School, Class of 1957, he attended the University of Idaho. On September 13, 1958 he married Patricia Ann Dodge, his high school sweetheart, they happily celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary just this last month. They both worked to put him through college and he graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Management. During his high school and college summer vacations, he started working for the U.S. Forest Service. His first job with the Forest Service was in 1953 when he was hired on as a dishwasher and camp help on the War Eagle Fire near Warren. He completed that fall by working on the War Eagle Lookout until the end of the fire season. This work experience led him to a nearly forty-year career with the U.S Forest Service. He worked as a fire control aid, ranger alternate and engineering aid on the Payette and St. Joe National Forests. His permanent career began in 1962 on the New Meadows Ranger District on the Payette National Forest where he was hired as a forester. In 1963 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He and Pat were stationed at Quantico, Virginia; Pensacola, Florida; Brunswick, Georgia; El Toro, California and Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Russ was trained as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO/Phantom Pherret) and flew the F4B Phantom jet. In 1965 he sailed aboard the USS Valley Forge to Iwakuni Japan and began a tour in the Far East including Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. During his military tour he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal with seven stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. The Navy Commendation Medal was awarded for actions in the rescue of a wingman crew when their aircraft was shot down during an air strike near the DMZ, leading to their ejection during stormy weather over the Gulf Of Tonkin. Russ flew in over a hundred combat missions in Vietnam with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314. Through his military career, he served in the First, Second and Third Marine Air Wings with Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA) Squadrons 542 Tigers, 314 Black Knights and 531 Grey Ghosts. He was promoted to captain upon his return to the United States and after completion of his military tour in 1967, he returned to his Forest Service position in New Meadows. In 1970 he and Pat moved from the Payette National Forest to accept an assignment on the Cache (later the Wasatch-Cache) National Forest at Logan, Utah. They then returned to the Boise National Forest in 1973 where he worked as a resource assistant. In 1980 he attended the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, GA and continued his career as a law enforcement officer and criminal investigator. In December 1999 he retired from the position of Supervisory Special Agent for the eight Region 4 national forests in southern Idaho and western Wyoming.
Russ enjoyed his career with the Forest Service and reflected that he worked during the best era of the agency. His career experiences included building and maintaining trails, fire prevention and suppression, assignment to a national fire management team, counting sheep and cattle onto range lands, laying out timber sales, planting trees, snow ranger and law enforcement. Throughout his career, he had a great appreciation and admiration for his first boss, Homer W. (Bill) Parks, a District Ranger who mentored him in his high school and early career years. Russ tried to give those same considerations to the many people he supervised and gave career advice to during his years with the Forest Service.
Russ began working on his private pilot license at the old Strawberry Glenn airfield while still in high school and attained his license at the T-Craft Aero Club after completing his military service and returning to Idaho. He and Pat had many wonderful times with their fifth-wheel trailer. He also treasured his many trips camping, hiking and fishing in the mountains with his family. The greatest joy in his life was his family.
Russ was a member of the Masonic Lodge Idaho AF&AM, Scottish Rite, El Korah Temple Shriners, Idaho Peace Officers Association, Idaho Retired Law Enforcement Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Rifle Association, Marine Corps Association, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 63, the Pershing Rifles Military Honorary, Treasure Valley Forest Service Old Timers and the Idaho Genealogical Society, as well as a past member of the Society of American Foresters, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Association and the National Ski Patrol.
Russ is survived by his wife Pat; his children, Doug (Sheila) Newcomb of Kuna and Patti (David) Waldrep of Boise; five grandchildren, Joshua and Joel Newcomb, Alex and Jessica Semaha, and Taylor Waldrep. Also a sister, Bobbie Ann Vereen of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; a brother, Jim (Lorraine) of Lake Fork; and a brother-in- law, (Colonel Retired) Richard Dodge (Linda) of Wilder. Also a joyful little Schnauzer companion, Jill.
A daughter Christine, two grandchildren Jeremy and Paige, a brother-in-law Jerry Vereen and his parents preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his miniature schnauzer and faithful companion Skeeter.
The family suggests any memorial contributions go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Address: Fairfax Avenue & Virginia Street. Salt Lake City, Utah 84103.
Special thanks go to his many St. Luke's care providers, Dr. Russ Kocemba, Dr. M. Lloyd, Dr. W. Traverso, Dr. Bucur, Dr. Kuhn, and the Meridian MSTI nursing staff. St. Luke's Hospice care was greatly appreciated. The primary care givers were his children who provided the loving, compassionate, dignified, and in-home care given so graciously and deeply treasured.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Russell's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.