December 27, 1952 – August 3, 2019
Charles A. Russell ’78-A was born Dec. 27, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas, the first son of Marjorie and Charles A. Russell ’66. He died on Aug. 3, 2019, in Seattle, Washington, while awaiting a heart transplant.
Dr. Russell grew up intent on following in his father’s footsteps in medicine. He graduated from La Sierra College and met his wife, Barbara Rector, while attending medical school, marrying her on Dec. 21, 1976. Following graduation, Dr. Russell completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at White Memorial Hospital (Los Angeles) and returned to Loma Linda for a hand surgery fellowship. After a brief term in joint practice in Glendale, California, he moved his family to the Northwest in 1988, where he practiced in Washington.
Passionate about providing his patients with the highest standard of care, Dr. Russell’s vacations were not complete without a medical journal in hand. He divorced his wife, Barbara, subsequent to experiencing a series of three strokes and recovering from an aortic valve replacement. After relearning how to walk and eventually how to tie surgical knots, he returned to practice as his rehabilitation allowed.
Dr. Russell was very supportive of his daughter, Chelsea, and granddaughter, Chloe. He cherished his time with his long-time companion, Anita Forczek, and was an active member of the Enumclaw Lions Club. He enjoyed teaching and mentoring medical students and spending time in nature hiking Mount Rainier. In July 2019, he moved his “office” (pending patient charts) to the University of Washington Medical Center Cardiac ICU, anticipating a transplant; however, he succumbed to complications.
Dr. Russell is survived by his fiancée, Anita Forczek; daughter, Chelsea; granddaughter, Chloe Russell-King; mother, Marjorie; and brother, Donald E. Russell ’85.
(Source: Family of Dr. Russell)