Russell Adams Hobart

1923 - 2018

Russell Adams Hobart peacefully passed away in Covington, LA on July 29, 2018 at the age of 95. Russell was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on April 15, 1923 and was a resident of Christwood in Covington at the time of his death. He had the distinction of being the third resident to move into the newly opened Christwood facility 22 years ago. Russell grew up in Amherst, the son of the late Clarence Adams Hobart and Ruth Shurtleff Hobart. He was predeceased by his sister, Marion Hobart White, and is survived by his brother, Stanley Roberts Hobart (Joy), niece, Stephanie "Stevie" Hobart Breve (Nelson) and great and great-great nieces and nephews. Russell left Amherst to enlist in the United States Army Air Force on April 6, 1943 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He trained as an Air Traffic Specialist at the Army Air Force Training Command in Fargo, North Dakota, Air Transport Command Miami Air Field in Miami, Florida and Army Air Force Air Technical Service Training Command, Mc Carran Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon completion of his training, he was first assigned to Air Mobility Command, Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, and then to Air Transport Command, Pacific Air Forces, Hickman Air Force Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Staff Sargent Hobart received an Honorable Discharge after being awarded the American Theater Ribbon Asiatic-Pacific Theater, a Good Conduct Ribbon on Victory Medal. He then moved to New York City where he used his Air Traffic Specialist training to embark on a successful 40 year career as a Flight Crew Allocation Supervisor with American Airlines first in NY and later in Dallas Fort Worth. While working, he also found time to earn an Associate's Degree from NYU. Russell always made time to frequently visit his family back in Amherst as well as his Uncle Carleton Shurtleff and his family in Caldwell, New Jersey. In addition, he enjoyed occasional trips to the beach in Los Angeles, California, one of his favorite vacation spots. When he retired from American Airlines in 1985, he moved to Bayonet Point, Florida upon the recommendation of two good friends from NYC who resided there. He was a devoted caregiver to his widowed mother who joined him in Florida for the final years of her life. He then moved to Christwood in 1996 to be near family. "Uncle Russell" was loved and will be missed by his family and friends. The family would like to thank the staff at his beloved Christwood, as well as the Two South Nurses Station at St. Tammany Parish Hospital who took exceptional care of him for the last couple weeks of his life. A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, August 15 at Christwood in Covington with a reception to follow. Donations can be made in his name to Christwood Foundation, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington, LA. 70433 or St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, 1202 S. Tyler St, Covington, LA 70433. Share a memory on the tribute wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com