Board seat is again filled by a Russell

By Rachel Kramer

Beverly Russell, the new MHCCD board member, credits her parents for her ability to speak to large groups with ease.

“I am thankful to my parents. They had me take violin lessons when I was just 4 years old,” Russell said.
When Russell was 5, she participated in music competitions at Oaks Park. It was these competitions that helped her become comfortable speaking to groups of people.
In the 7th grade, Russell learned how to play the piano. Occasionally, Russell still likes to take music out and play.

Russell, who was selected to fill the board poision left vancant by her late husband during the last board meeting, attended Franklin High School where, as well as singing in the choir and playing in the orchestra, she got involved in social events at her school. According to Russell, she was student body secretary, president of a social club that volunteered in the area, and a reporter on the school paper.

“I enjoyed being on the paper, because it got you acquainted with lots of students and faculty members,” Russell said.

Russell graduated in 1960 from Franklin High School.
Russell began to attend Oregon College of Education (OCE), now Western Oregon University, in Monmouth. It was there she met her future husband, Ron Russell.
“We got married between our sophomore and junior years,” she said. “That kind of changed everything.”
Married in August of ’62, Russell remembers the Columbus Day Storm in October of 1962 being a major event in their early marriage.

“I’ll never forget that,” she said. “We lost a huge tower off one of the buildings. You could watch the trees fall down and students were walking around.”
To pay expenses, Russell and her husband got jobs on campus. Russell worked in the cafeteria, while her husband worked in the Recreation Room and did janitorial work.
“Right now in your life, it seems like ‘Gee, I’ll never get ahead. I’m doing everything I can to pay for my schooling and my apartment and food.’ But it will come,” she said. “If you can just stick it out, get that degree, life will get better.”

Russell graduated with a bachelor’s in science for education.
Russell and her husband then went into the Peace Corps and were sent to teach in Malaysia for two years. Russell taught fifth grade.
According to Russell, “Everything was so different: the weather, the food, the clothing, the transportation.” Russell rode everywhere on bicycles. The weather was always hot, even during the monsoon season.
As well as teaching, Russell had a brownie group for the local girls. One time, with her brownie group, Russell made cookies. Using a metal oven above a little kerosene burner, they made cookies. “They had never seen cookies,” Russell said. “They loved American cookies.”

By the time their two years were up, both Russell and her husband could speak the Malay language very well.
“When we came back here, we were getting pretty good at the language and we used to just love to walk down the street and speak Malay,” Russell said. “People would look at us, but nobody understood what we were saying.”
After returning from Malaysia, Russell got her masters from OCE.
Her husband, Ron, started teaching at the David Douglas School District and Russell started substitute teaching.
Russell had her first son, Michael, in 1967 at age 25. “I always wanted to be a mother, and I was so proud that I had this darling baby boy,” she said.
Her daughter Tamara was born in 1970.
For the next few years, Russell stayed home to raise her children. When they were about 5 years old, Russell went back to substitute teaching. She never went back full time.
“We always felt that one parent should be home with the kids while they were growing up,” Russell said.

When her children were older, Russell began working at Walker Travel in Gresham. She worked there for 16 years.
Working for a travel agency allowed both Russell and her husband to travel. They have been to more than 15 countries, including Australia, Russia, Poland, Japan, Germany and France.
Both Russells also picked up the hobby of volkswalking. They made a goal to walk in all 50 states and achieved that goal. Russell is still a member of the East County Wind Walkers.
For two years, both Russells volunteered with the Oregon Zoo. They taught classes about the animals and went behind the scenes. Russell also became a ‘foster mom’ for one of the sea otters.
Ron Russell joined the MHCC District Board of Education in 1999.
Russell’s life changed drastically in January 2005, when Ron was diagnosed with a brain tumor. “His illness shocked the goodness out of us,” she said. “He was so healthy. It was overwhelming.”

Russell helped her husband through three operations, 30 bouts of radiation and nine chemotherapy sessions. “We kept hoping and hoping,” she said.
When Ron went to his last board meeting, his wife was with him. “He loved being on the board,” she said. “Mt. Hood was so important to him.”
During this time, according to Russell, Ron offered to give up his seat and resign, but the rest of the board wouldn’t have it.
“I am so thankful [the board] insisted he stay on the board,” Russell said. “He offered to resign, but they kept saying ‘No, that is your seat.’”
Ron died February 19, 2006, 13 months after being diagnosed.
“He was my best friend,” Russell said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better husband. We were married for 43 years.”

On May 10, Russell was selected to fill the vacant board position left by her husband. “I am very proud and so happy that I have the opportunity to carry on [my husband’s works and dreams,]” she said.
With a bond measure ahead of her, Russell has her work cut out for her, but she is excited about the road ahead.
“I am spreading the word, talking to neighbors,” she said. “I would love for people to talk to me, ask me questions.”