Howard Russell Obituary

Howard (90) died on December 22 at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH. His goal had always been to live to 103 but 90 was his fallback position.

Howard was born in Columbus, OH on September 21, 1934, and grew up in Upper Arlington. He was the son of Howard and Elisa (Muntwyler) Russell.

Howard attended Kenyon College and the University of Denver, he received his Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary, and a Master’s in Communication and his Doctorate of Education from Boston University.

He was a Congregational (United Church of Christ) minister for several churches in rural eastern Montana before becoming the youth minister at the First Congregational Church in Columbus. He moved to Boston where he worked at Northeastern University and then St Anslem College developing program curriculum for both institutions. He went on to work at a management consultancy in Boston and then started his own private practice with a focus on sales training.

Howard lived for many years in Littleton, MA where he was a long-time (20 year) member and president of the Council on Aging and Friends of the Council on Aging. He was determined to bring a strong program focus to seniors in Littleton. At one point, he began courses in gerontology at Boston University.

Howard and his wife Jane shared their horse, Annie. Jane rode and competed. Howard decided he didn’t only want to be Jane’s groom, so he convinced Jane it was time for Annie to learn to pull a carriage. Howard went on to compete in driving competitions. His sense of direction was never perfect, so it helped to have Jane sitting in the carriage with him to show the way in some of the more difficult driving tests.

One of the things he was most proud of was the log cabin he and Jane built in the woods of Liberty, ME. When many of the pine trees on the property blew over in a microburst, Howard decided they shouldn’t be carted away. Instead, a small cabin was built using them. Maine was always his destination for a vacation, so owning a proper cabin he felt was a gift. He relished the time when his children and grandchildren came to enjoy not only the cabin, but Maine itself.

Howard is survived by his wife, Jane, of 42 years, his children Andy (and Julie) of Amherst, NH; Jonathan (and VioLisa) of Tahlequah, OK; Elisa (and John) of Hopedale, MA; and Katherine (and Matson) of Bozeman, MT along with ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of Howard’s life in the spring at his home in Peterborough, NH. Donations in his memory may be made to Fleur de Lis Camp, 120 Howeville Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447, fleurdeliscamp.org.