Russell William Baxter

BAXTER, Russell William, age 67, of Richmond, Va., died on July 24, 2023. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on July 15, 1956.

Russ graduated from Oberlin College in 1978 with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia in 1987.

In Charlottesville, he met Sharon Kenneally, the love of his life. They moved to Richmond, where he began his career in natural resources policy with a focus on the Chesapeake Bay. He worked for nonprofit, state and regional agencies, as well as serving in the Governor's Cabinet as Assistant Secretary of Natural Resources under his long-time mentor and friend, W. Tayloe Murphy Jr., and later as Deputy Secretary. Virginia's waters run cleaner because of Russ's work, and his colleagues were grateful for his humor, kindness and generosity.

A life-long sports enthusiast, Russ was a devoted cyclist. He competed in road, mountain, and cyclocross bike racing and belonged to multiple cycling organizations in Richmond. He loved to ride.

Diagnosed with appendix cancer in 2008, Russ long outlived his initial prognosis. He has been a model of courage to those who knew him.

Survivors include Sharon Kenneally Baxter, his wife of 34 years; sons, Ian S. Baxter of Charlottesville and William R. Baxter of Baltimore; brothers, Donald L. M. Baxter and wife, Sandra P. Baxter, of Storrs, Conn., and Paul S. Baxter and wife, Ann Marie S. Healey, of Somerville, Mass.; and nieces, nephews and many beloved family members who deeply loved and cared for him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. Baxter and Mary R. Baxter of Richmond.

There will be a public memorial service at Pocahontas State Park on September 24 - further details will be forthcoming. A private interment will occur in Hollywood Cemetery.

Donations in Russ's memory may be made to: the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation; the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation; the Richmond Cycling Corps; or Team I Hate Cancer.