Homer Burket Russell ’39

A graduate of Northwestern Medical School in 1942, Homer received his master’s degree in pathology at the same school in 1945. As an Army captain he served in the Mediterranean from 1946 to 1948. He then had a general practice in Great Bend, Kan., before doing a general-surgery residence at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. He returned to practice as a surgeon in Great Bend, becoming chief of staff at the Central Kansas Medical Center. He was the second generation of Russells who were physicians in Great Bend over a span of 70 years.  

In 1977, Homer retired to Pea Ridge, Ark., where he established the town’s first medical office and served for 10 years as its only doctor. In our 50th book, he wrote that his greatest satisfaction in life was his wonderful wife, his best friend, “Glorious” Gloria. She survives him, as do their five children, including Homer B. Jr. ’64, and 11 grandchildren. To Homer’s loving family, we offer our sincere sympathy.