Board member leaves behind legacy

By Nick Ngo

Anyone who knew Mt. Hood Community College District Board member Ron Russell would agree he never backed away from promoting education.

“He believed so firmly in education and what it could do for people,” said Brady.

At the age of 63, Russell died Sunday. Russell was battling glioblastoma (a fatal brain tumor) for the past 13 months.“Ron was a tireless advocate for education and gave to his community throughout his life,” MHCC President Robert Silverman said in an e-mail, “I personally will miss his wise counsel and insight as well as his humor and friendship.”
According to Brady, Russell hoped the school would serve the students and community to the best of its ability. That was why he was with the college, to serve the community the best way he could.
“As a board member, he was really easy to work with. Because of his background he had such a vast wealth of knowledge about what we were doing and what we’re about,” Brady said. “He was familiar with the college because of his service on the Foundation Board before he was on the board of education.”
Russell graduated from David Douglas High School. He later on went to Western Oregon University (then known as the Oregon College of Education).
At WOU, Russell received his bachelor’s and a master’s degree in science. Russell continued his education attending the University of Oregon, where he received his doctorate.
Going down the road of education is in Russell’s blood. His father, Gordon Russell, became superintendent of the Gresham Grade School District in 1948. At that time, Ron was in first grade.
In 1977, Gordon Russell retired. In his honor, they named Gordon Russell Middle School after him.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Ron Russell became a vice principal of the Pleasant Valley School from 1969 to 1975. In 1977, he was principal of Lincoln Park Elementary School. He then became superintendent of the David Douglas School District in 1994.
School officials honored Russell by naming a school after him, on Aug. 25, 2005.
“That’s a unique thing to have a father and son have schools named after them,” Beverly Russell, Ron’s wife, said in a Gresham Outlook article.
Russell’s son, Michael Russell, also took to the road of education. Michael is a chemistry instructor at MHCC. He could not be reached for comment.
Ron Russell joined the MHCC District Board of Education in 1999. The board elected Russell as a chairman his first year.
Before serving as a board member, Russell was also on the Foundation Board. That allowed him to familiarize himself with the college.
“I really enjoyed Ron because he had a great sense of humor. He took issues seriously but never really took himself seriously. He can always keep things in perspective for you,” said Brady, who served as the board secretary. “You know how you can get involve in an issue and never see beyond it. But he always had perspective to lighten the mood or kind of get you back to reality.”
Brady says the last time she saw Russell was at a December district board meeting.
“He was interesting because I observed him during the meeting, probably more closely than normal, knowing he was sick,” she said.
After the meeting she commented to his wife, “Gosh Ron really seemed on top of things and better then ever.” His wife answered, “Really? He’s really having trouble in term with memories.” Brady says she was unaware. She knew he was having physical difficulties, but during the meeting it wasn’t evident to her.
“He seemed really sharp and on top of things. I think that’s probably one reason he’s holding on in there so long, trying to come to events and meetings,” Brady said. “To keep his mind as sharp as possible.”
Russell’s family is holding a “Celebration of Life” in his memory today. The event takes place 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gresham Funeral Chapel. The location is 257 SE Roberts in Gresham.