Dr. Russell Travis

1935 - 2022

Dr. Russell Travis
June 23, 1935 - October 29, 2022
Lexington, Kentucky - Intelligent, strong, beloved... this was Dr. Russell Travis. It is with great sorrow that we mourn the loss of this incredible man, who passed on October 29, 2022, at the age of 87. Russell Travis was born in the heart of coal country in Jenkins, Ky on June 23, 1935. While the family eventually relocated to Glasgow, Ky, Russell would often speak fondly of his years in the mountains. As a distinguished neurosurgeon, he gave back to the Appalachian community for over 30yrs, by providing on-site neurosurgical care to those residents who lacked access. Most of Russell's formative years were spent in Glasgow, Ky, where he learned the value of hard work at the family's Glasgow Trading Center. There was "no rest for the weary" and this ethos came to define his life. Given his imposing size and this strong work ethic, Russell excelled at sports in both high school and college and served for many years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship, but learned that he was a Ky boy at heart, and quickly transferred to Centre College in Danville, Ky. Russell always considered his time at Centre to be a turning point in his life. He became an excellent student and majored in English Literature and Humanities. In 1994, Centre honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Following his time at Centre, Russell embarked on his path of becoming an outstanding neurosurgeon and policy advocate for medicine. He obtained his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Louisville College of Medicine, where he completed an internship in general surgery. Thereafter, Russell completed his neurosurgical residency at the Medical College of South Carolina, where he served as Chief Resident. In 1972, he became Board Certified in Neurological Surgery. Russell also completed Fellowships with the American College of Surgeons and with the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. Russell would say that "behind my family, neurosurgery is my true love". This proved to be true, as Russell devoted his entire adult life to healing and helping others. His accomplishments were truly outstanding and voluminous. His Curriculum Vitae was 24 pages long! In private practice, Dr. Russell Travis worked tirelessly for decades as a neurosurgeon at Neurosurgical Associates in Lexington, Ky, He primarily operated at Central Baptist Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was President of the Medical Staff. Russell also served as the Associate Medical Director of Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, and consulted at Appalachian Regional Hospital, along with numerous other regional hospitals. After retiring from handling surgical cases, Russell embarked on a career as a medical consultant, which included providing important medical opinions and testimony to the Courts. Dr. Russell Travis' prestigious appointments and awards were numerous. He was President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Chairman of the distinguished American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons and long time member of the Joint Washington Committee of Neurosurgery, all of which set national policy for neurological medicine. He also served as the Vice President of the Kentucky Medical Association. Always willing to serve his fellow Kentuckians, Russell accepted Board and Committee appointments from multiple Kentucky Governors. These positions included serving as President and Member of the prestigious Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, and the Kentucky State Workers Compensation Board. He also served on the Regional Translational Research Center Advisory Board, and various positions on the American Academy of Occupational Medicine. Additional boards and service included being President of the Epilepsy Association, Member of the Committee on National Legislative Activities, the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Health Care Access Foundation, and Kentucky Easter Seal Society. True to his literary roots and desire to serve, Russell published a huge volume of work and gave numerous presentations to colleagues and students. He was a visiting Professor at medical schools in Ky, South Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi and Virginia, also receiving various awards and accolades from those schools. He was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators and the Outstanding Lifetime Teaching Award from the AADEP. Russell was also a recipient of the Jack Trevey Award by the Fayette County Medical Society, and the Service to Mankind Award by the Kentucky Medical Association. Russell was a true lover of all things Kentucky, including Ky horse racing, Ky football, Ky lakes and good Ky bourbon, which he enthusiastically collected. Of course, none of these loves, nor his professional accomplishments, surpassed the love and affection Russell Travis had for his family. He is survived by the beautiful wife who he adored, Jill Travis, along with his 4 children Glenn Travis (Jodie), Lee Travis, Barry Buchigani (Kristen) Britini Buchignani (Amy), and his brother Joseph Travis (Jeanne). Russell was known as "Paw" to his 6 grandchildren, who will greatly miss his willingness to always watch one of their favorite cartoons or to read a story. He was preceded in death by his father Joe Travis, mother Melba Hughes, sister Marzie Ann and former wife Sara Gail. Visitation will be held from 4pm-8pm on Sunday, November 6, 2022, and 9:30am-10:30am on Monday, November 7, 2022, with funeral services following immediately thereafter, all at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on Harrodsburg Rd, Lexington, Ky. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kentucky Easter Seals or the Lexington Humane Society.