Robert (Bob) Russell

Robert “Bob” Eugene Russell – of Floyd, New Mexico, age 90, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024. Bob was born in Clovis on February 26, 1933. He married Mary Jean Shafer on January 26th, 1952.

Immediately after high school he joined the US Navy. He served 5 tours overseas on ships. He was a seaman apprentice when he started and retired as a lieutenant commander. Through the Navy he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue with a minor in Physics. Later he went to Monterey Postgraduate school and earned a master’s in computer science. His thesis was on spreadsheets. (Well before they were available to the public).

Dad grew up bilingual speaking English and Spanish. At Purdue he became fluent in Russian. While overseas he learned Japanese. He became fluent in 6 other languages. After serving at the Pentagon, he retired after 24 years in the Navy. He worked for several federal contractors but eventually he joined Microsoft. At Microsoft he became a high-level support consultant to businesses in Excel utilizing his incredibly sharp mind to help others as he always cared more about others than himself.

Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing trips and outdoor recreation with his extended family, but most of all spending quality time with his family and friends whenever possible.

Bob is survived by remaining children, Robert L Russell and his wife RuthAnn, Tanya Cook, Michael Russell and his wife Debbie; grandchildren, Brandi, Mary  and her husband Geoff, Mitch and his wife Jessica, Amber, Brent and his wife Danielle, Simon and Evan;  great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jack, Luke, Zenaiah, Zane, Elizabeth and Marlowe;  younger sister Barbara and many, many beloved nieces and nephews as well as other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, his son Brent Russell, his parents Johnny and Fern Russell and his younger brothers Bill, Butch and Phillip.

There will be an Afternoon of Remembrance from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Allen Funeral Options.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family.