Timothy Craig Russell

Timothy C. Russell died on November 15, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tim is survived by his wife of 23 years, Christy, sons Sam (Andrea) and Nick (Jen), daughter Lydia, grandchildren Peter, Nathan, Sarah, William, Margot, Harry, and Natalie, sister Pam Walford (John), niece Caroline Cowley (Jim), nephew Charles Walford (Lara), nieces Ashley and Amanda Gellert, and his dog Stella, as well as in-laws, cousins, a grandniece and grandnephews.
Born in Bronxville, NY on July 26, 1948 to Joyce Russell (nee Leigh) and Peter Russell, Tim lived most of his childhood in Villanova, PA. Tim graduated from Harriton High School where he played football and lacrosse (captain of both), and then from Dartmouth College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Tim had many interesting summer jobs while in college, but the one he found most rewarding was "pulling trash" on a garbage truck. From this and other life experiences, Tim developed an immense respect for people of different backgrounds and occupations.
After graduating from law school in 1973, Tim clerked for the Honorable Arlin M. Adams on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then went on to become an esteemed corporate litigator at Drinker, Biddle and Reath and several subsequent firms. Tim was a life member of the American Law Institute. After his retirement from the practice of law in 2013, Tim started his own arbitration and mediation practice. Tim loved the law, and to the end of his life, he continued to follow, read, and analyze the key legal decisions of our times. Tim set very high standards for himself and others around him. He was also the consummate teacher, who thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to mentor and bring along younger lawyers. And a great debate on any topic, especially law or politics, was always welcomed.
As much as Tim was a serious intellectual, he also enjoyed a good mob movie and could quote most of the Godfather (all three parts) and Good Fellas. Tim was proud of the fact that he had a vocabulary that exceeded that of most of us, but in casual conversation routinely added "and shit" to the end of sentences.
Similarly, Tim loved humor and was a wonderful joke teller. People would sit with rapt attention at family dinners, business conferences, or in other settings to hear Tim deliver a joke, awaiting the punchline, even if it was one they had heard before. In his struggle with cancer, Tim never lost his sense of humor and used it to carry him through the most difficult times - even if the medical professionals were bemused by this behavior.
Tim was a great outdoorsman, an avid fisherman and lover of wildlife. He was a keen sports fan, following first and foremost his Philadelphia Eagles, but Tim could also be seen on a Saturday watching almost any sport that was on TV, including high school football or little league baseball.
Most of all, Tim loved his family. He passed along his sense of humor to his children and grandchildren - even if it wasn't always "age appropriate." Tim's grandchildren adored their "TT" and hung on his every word. His spirit will live on in them.
A luncheon celebration of Tim's life will be held at the Spring Hollow Golf Club, 3350 Schuylkill Road, Spring City, PA 19475 December 18, 2024. The family will be receiving guests beginning at 12:00 noon, and a celebration and sharing of words will begin at 12:45 PM. Family and friends are welcome. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, PA. Condolences may be offered online by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.