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Richard "Rick" Stanley Russell

February 18, 1952 - January 20, 2016

RICHARD “RICK” STANLEY RUSSELL

February 18, 1952 – January 20, 2016

Richard “Rick” Stanley Russell, 63, of Ankeny passed away January 20, 2016 at the Veterans Administration Hospice Center in Des Moines, Iowa due to complications from Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure. He was surrounded by his family and the caring staff.
A memorial service will be held 11:00am, Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 North Ankeny Blvd).
Rick was born in Des Moines, Iowa to parents Henry Stanley Russell, Jr. (deceased) and Mary Margaret (Peck) Russell who lives in Des Moines. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1970.
Rick is survived by his devoted wife of 29 years, Margo; step-children Meghan Kotch and Jeffrey (Tina) Kotch; step-grandchildren Jeffrey Kotch and Kelly (Mike) Allen and step-great grandson Mason Allen. Rick is also survived by his loving siblings, Ronald (Margaret) Russell; Peggy (Mike) Russell-Coyne; Jewel (Scott) Mitchell; Dorla (Ron) Secrest and many nieces and nephews.
Rick served in the United States Navy from 1971 to 1975 and was honorably discharged as a Boiler Technician. He was very proud to receive the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation.
The majority of Rick’s working life was spent as a Retail Manager. He thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of being a traveling, troubleshooting manager for Tinder Box International tobacco and gift stores, (where he met Margo), and managing Boot Barn western wear stores, all in California. Tinder Box gave him the chance to smoke pipes and cigars, all in the name of work, while Boot Barn afforded him the opportunity to express his inner “cowboy”.
Rick will be remembered for his wonderful singing voice, which he shared with family and friends; his never-ending sense of humor, his participation on the swim team at Hoover High School where he exceled at the backstroke, growing up in the 56th Street neighborhood in Des Moines plus his devotion to family and the Green Bay Packers! Rick was a generous, loving soul, a wonderful step-father and his presence on this earth will be missed by all who knew him. He was definitely a “rare breed!”