Russell E. Randall Jr. ’49

Russell died April 27, 2024, in Mechanicsville, Va. He was 95.

The son of a brigadier general, Russell entered Princeton at age 16. He majored in biology, belonged to Cottage Club, played football, and was captain of the wrestling team. In our senior poll he was voted the “most uncollegiate” ’49er; despite this dubious honor, he earned a medical degree from Columbia in just four years, along with the Anatomy Prize and membership in Alpha Omega Alpha.

After two years in the Air Force Medical Service, Russell joined the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and spent 10 years in its renal division, directing, teaching, training, and researching nephrology. He is perhaps best known for the discovery of MIDD, a Randall-type kidney disease named, appropriately enough, for Russell himself. No longer was he just an “uncollegiate” Princeton alumnus!

In 1974, Russell left the academic world of fellowships and teaching to return to private practice. He continued to employ his diagnostic and analytic skills in medicine, architecture, and art.

Russell is survived by five children, Deborah, William, Kurt, Chad, and John. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marilyn, and his son, Mark.