There will be a gathering of friends this Sunday June 9th at 6pm at wappoo cut boat ramp to honor, remember and share stories of our times with Russ aka “Top2bottom”. CaptEd has graciously offered to provide a memorial for Russ as he did for Stan that has a place in it for mementos, pictures and such…so please bring anything you would like to place in there. I also plan to send a special box to his family…mementos of what Russ meant to us…and of times shared. If anyone has a picture,story you want to write down, sympathy card that you would care to add Im sure it would mean a lot to them. As far as something permanent in honor and memory. There has been mention of something for the Morris Island Lighthouse fund…maybe something specific that could be paid for in its repairs…his mom also mentioned to me yesterday that Russ really appreciated and supported the “Heroes on The water” organization(heroesonthewater.org) that is set up to assist wounded soldiers experience the outdoors again. there is also a local chapter of a organization like that. I also thought about the Memorial Donation that was made in honor of Stan to a local fishing tournament for the childrens division. We all know how much Russ loved children and encouraged them to “get out there” with not only his stories and adventures…but his zest for life. Any of these would be a good way to honor Russ. Any other thoughts or suggestions on this would be appreciated.
Russ’s mom wrote to me today. Said she felt she knew many of us through the many stories that he shared and how often he spoke of us. She went on to say that they were touched by the outpouring of prayers, stories,pictures and memories of Russ. It is a very difficult time for them. Russ did everything that he could to protect them from worries about him…so the severity of his illness was a shock…losing him so quickly…devastating. They did say that he was at peace long before his passing and that his journey when he left was a quiet, peaceful and spiritual one. I
hat I gave Russ at his going away party…he laughed and laughed…but eventually put it on for us…but only after he covered his face:)
Saw Russ coming through the cut one day…
and he backed up to the shore where i sat…i thought it was to say something…couldnt hear him…he called me closer…closer…closer…until i was standing on the very edge…
then trimmed up the motor and soaked my butt!!! :)said that it was just a small payback for all the times i dressed up “poor roo” and pranked him and others…said his only regret was that he hadnt filmed it and the look on my face said this pic had pushed him over the edge! we laughed and laughed. i looked like a drowned rat. he later admitted he was just moving his lips to get me closer yes…penny the prankster got pranked…and Russ did it in style:)
russ placed these in stans memorial…shells from his many travels on the sailboat with his family and other places…treasures to him that he shared with Stan
And boy the stories Russ could tell…and he would put such detail and animation into their telling that you would feel as if you were there reliving it with him…hanging on his every word. Here he is telling daddy a story… and daddy seems to be enjoying it as much as anyone who ever shared a time like this with Russ did.
a shirt I gave Russ once…he laughed like crazy when he saw it. said it was better than smelling like “plum island”
Thats what Im planning on doing, after Sunday evening have someone take the memorial out to some good bottom and lower it down. Save the numbers so Russ’s close friends can go visit him and fish.
I did this with a good friend of mine, mixed his ashes in with the concrete and made a “reef” memorial. Now anytime Im in the neighborhood I fish it and when I leave drop him a couple Bud Lights down to him. Last time I dove it corals etc were growing well on it and lots of fish.
Moving…just moving. I’m sittin here crying my eyes out over someone I never had the chance to know. I’m sorry for your loss, he must have been one helluva guy. Calm waters and many fish Russ. RIP
Very nice Penny, That picture with Russ, John, Dolphin and me on the Contender brings back a very fond and fun day in the deep with those guys… Russ had a smile on his face the whole day. Well so did all of us. Great time with everyone. Russ was also at my Daughters wedding, he then came to the house for the after dinner and stayed and talked to us for hours. What a great outdoorsmen and great guy in general.
Going to Church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
You are the offspring of 5 monkeys having But Secs with a retarded fish squirrel. CONGRADULATION!!!
quote:Isn't Russ the one who made his own mold of a Whaler and built his own?
He did Dave, I saw it at his house one time. Man that guy knew a bunch about boats. I believe his family was in the boating/kayaking biz at some point.
Great point John, the places that Russ and I scouted will have a brand new meaning this coming hunting season. I will have not just one great outdoorsmen with me I will now have two, my son Steven and now Russ.
I remember talking to Russ one morning and him telling me about a man he pulled out of the FM after the guy had a heart attack I went back and found his post, this is a testament of what Kind of man Ole Russy was. Thank you Russ for sharing part of your life with me. http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=91476&SearchTerms=ems
Going to Church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
You are the offspring of 5 monkeys having But Secs with a retarded fish squirrel. CONGRADULATION!!!
said this pic had pushed him over the edge! we laughed and laughed. i looked like a drowned rat. he later admitted he was just moving his lips to get me closer 
