Russell Lowell Isaacs

Russell Lowell Isaacs of Cottageville, West Virginia, passed away April 14, 2017. He was born June 15, 1932, in Warwood, West Virginia, the fifth child and youngest son of Rose Mae Burton, a teacher and poet, and William McKinley Isaacs, a Welsh coal miner. In 1952, he joined the Marines and served in Korea. He used the GI Bill to enroll in West Virginia University, finishing a four-year accounting course in less than three years. Upon graduation, he joined a Charleston accounting firm. Among his clients was Heck's, Inc., a fledgling chain of three discount department stores. In 1962, Heck's offered him a job as a comptroller and treasurer. The following year, he was named to the company's board of directors. In 1969, he was responsible for Heck's becoming the first Charleston-based firm to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Isaacs became president of Heck's in 1973 and held that position until 1979. He then joined a brokerage house as an executive vice president. In 1982, he formed his own investment banking firm. He also served as chairman of the board of Heck's for the next five years. Isaacs served on numerous boards and executive committees for companies involved in manufacturing, distribution, construction, and banking. An avid supporter of his native West Virginia, Isaacs worked in several capacities throughout his life to improve West Virginia. He was the first chairman of the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, a panel designated to distribute state grants and loans for water, sewer, and infrastructure for economic development. In addition, he was a key figure in securing development projects for West Virginia, such as Cabela's and Toyota. He served as chairman of the West Virginia Board of Regents and the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, a billion-dollar operation, and was a close advisor and confidant to several West Virginia governors. He also served as a financial advisor to the College Board, a national educational organization best known for administering the SAT and advanced course curriculum. Isaacs was a member of the Horatio Alger Association, an honor bestowed on only six West Virginians, including Robert C. Byrd, Pearl S. Buck, and Chuck Yeager. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jill Wilson, five children, and 10 grandchildren. Children: Gregory Burton Isaacs (Stephanie) and Clifton Hayes Isaacs, both of Charleston, West Virginia; Russell Lowell Isaacs, Jr., of Magnolia, Delaware; Stephanie Ann Isaacs (Joseph Dobson) of Louisville, Kentucky; and Stacy Eileen Deickman (Rob) of Stevensville, Maryland. He is also survived by sister Tacy Eileen Hubp of San Antonio, Texas, and brother Leslie Elwood Isaacs of Alexandria, Virginia. He was predeceased by his parents, brother William McKinley Isaacs, Jr., and sisters Maxine Elizabeth Isaacs and Dorothy Rose Johns. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rose Burton Isaacs Scholarship Fund at the WVU Foundation,1 Waterfront Pl # 7, Morgantown, WV 26501. At this time services for Russell Isaacs are incomplete. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston is handling arrangements.