Russ spent his early years in Brazil, where his father supervised the construction of the first factory in South America to make pharmaceutical glass. Returning to the United States, he graduated from high school in Florida. At Princeton, Russ majored in aeronautical engineering, joined Dial Lodge, and was active in the Outing Club, the Engineering Council, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His friends remember him as kind and sensitive to the needs of others, and for his quiet but quick sense of humor.
Shortly after graduation Russ married Karen Andersen, a Princeton resident who was his girlfriend throughout college, and they had many happy years together. Russ served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, then worked briefly for Boeing. He and Karen moved to Brazil, where Russ worked with his father at Wheaton Glass, eventually replacing him.
His work in the container industry eventually took them to Lisbon, then to Douglasville, Ga., where the Hubenets became great friends with Tim and Debbie O’Donnell. Karen died suddenly in early 2017, and Russ never fully recovered from her loss. When the O’Donnells moved to Florence, they convinced Russ to join them there.
Russ loved Princeton, and he left his entire estate to fund scholarships for women and students of color in STEM subjects. The Class of 1969 offers its sincere condolences to Russ’ sister, Kathy; his half-siblings Jackie and Benny; and the O’Donnell family.