Russell J. Reck ’57 *63

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Russ died Jan. 12, 2016, in Irvine, Calif.

At Princeton he majored in civil engineering, joined Dial Lodge, and played intramural basketball. Senior year, he roomed with Dean Updike and Dick Knorr.

A brilliant student, he was our class valedictorian.

Russ continued his education at Princeton, earning a Ph.D. in civil engineering in 1963. His 42-year career started at McDonnell Douglas as an aerospace engineer and ended as director of research and development at Boeing.

He married Norrie while working toward his doctorate, and they had two children, Jeff and Sharon. Norrie died in 1985, and Russ married Lynn in 1991.

In retirement, Russ became an actor and comedian and was active in community theater. He loved golf and tennis and traveled the world with Lynn, visiting places like Maui and Kauai, where his ashes were scattered.

Russ is survived by Lynn, Jeff, and Sharon, and two grandsons. 

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PAW's March 2025 cover, featuring the headling "Uncovering Cancer" and close-up of part of a DNA strand swirling like a tornado.
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