Former library trustee
Former Harvard resident Richard H. Russell passed away peacefully on Sept. 19, 2008 in Brunswick, Maine at the age of 86. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 59 years, Keyo Ford Russell. He is also survived by a son, Clement Ford Russell of Acton; a daughter, Robin Russell of Santa Barbara, Calif.; two grandsons, Jamison Russell of New York City and Clement Russell of Acton; and one granddaughter, Madeleine Beebe of Washington, D.C. As well, he is survived by his older brother Douglas Russell of Honolulu, Hawaii.
A graduate of Harvard University, Rich served in the army in Burma as a cryptologist during WWII. Upon his return, he finished his master’s degree at Harvard University and then went on to teach history and English at Harvard, Amherst, and Tufts before finishing his teaching career as head of the English department at Dover-Sherborn High School in Dover.
He loved living in Harvard and during his retirement became active as a trustee for both Fruitlands Museum and the Harvard Public Library where he worked hard to plan for the building of a new library facility. A kind and thoughtful man, he was known for both his brilliant mind and his incredible wit, which was present and formidable until the end. He was beloved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road, Harvard, MA 01451.
