Russell D. Melton

Melton, Russell D. Age 67, of White Bear Lake, passed away on February 21, 2013, after a long and arduous battle with cancer. Preceded in death by parents Dean and Marian, and younger brother Mark. Russ grew up in Alexandria and graduated from the University of MN's Institute of Technology and William Mitchell College of Law. As a US Navy submariner, Russ served from 1963-1969 as Reactor Operator aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS John Marshall ballistic missile nuclear submarines. Russ began his legal career as a founding partner of the Foley & Mansfield law firm. In 2008, he moved to Meagher & Geer where he led the Catastrophic Loss Practice Group responding to large fires, explosions, chemical releases and other disasters on behalf of his insurance company clients. He organized a team of technically-trained lawyers, specifically young attorneys who also had engineering degrees and created the concept of "the convergence of science and law." Self-nicknamed "The Man in Black," Russ was born in North Carolina and considered himself a Southern Gentleman with a love of fried chicken, grits, collard greens, peach cobbler and introduced many to the concept of the six-egg omelet. Russ' Scottish heritage was very special to him and he made several trips to Scotland. Dressed in a Clan Clark tartan kilt he hosted many Scottish-themed parties at his home where bagpipers would perform with gusto, marching up the driveway and into the house Russ called "Castle Muldoon." Though he gave up his dream of being a rock star saying it was easier to make money as a lawyer, Russ idolized the Rolling Stones and almost every business or personal conversation included some reference to Keith Richards. He was an avid reader and sought out people with whom he could discuss the latest books. Russ' passion for literature is evident by his vast library that includes books on history, technology, military, mysteries, detective stories, westerns and science fiction. Russ loved motorcycles, vintage hot-rods and his classic '65 Corvette Stingray. Survived by son Cameron, daughter Mackenzie, fiancée Christine Barrows and brother Neil (Sally Bongard). Funeral service Saturday, March 9th, 2 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Reception to follow; details pending. Russ' children request in lieu of flowers memorials to The National Math and Science Initiative. Donation site: www.nms.org/custom/donate.aspx