Clifford Russell

Dr. Clifford DeWayne Russell, ED.D. On May 28, 2012, Clifford D. Russell, our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Teacher & Friend passed peacefully away in San Diego, CA. He was born on Dec. 5, 1929, in Bingham, UT to Clifford James Russell, & Thelma Corinne Johnston. Having been named after his father, the family called him by his middle name, "DeWayne". His father died when Cliff was 5 yrs. old, and his mother moved him, his brother, Lewis, and sister, Barbara to the Ogden area to work as a Nurse. Since Cliff wasn't in school yet, he was sent to Green River to live with his beloved Paternal Grandparents. When he was 8 yrs. old, his mother married David Henderson, whom he absolutely adored, and lovingly called, "the most wonderful father ever created". Cliff played H.S. Basketball for Weber High School, and in 1947 his team won the Utah Semi-finals. Later that same year he enlisted in the Navy, to see the world. That decision would change the direction of his life forever. He was sent to Boot Camp in San Diego, where his new Navy buddy, Keith, introduced him to his beautiful sister, Donna. Cliff, who was now known by his Navy nickname, Russ, married Donna, and spent their first year stationed in Saipan, where their oldest daughter, Cathy was born in 1949. His next assignment was back to San Diego, where he was assigned to help a 5 star Admiral to write a book, he would take the ferry over to Coronado every day to work on this assignment. During the 25 months he was there, two more daughters were born, Patricia, 1951, and, Christine, 1953. His next traveling orders were to Naples, Italy, where his 4th daughter, Judith, joined the family in 1955 Three years later when assigned to the Pentagon, he moved his family close by in Virginia, and his 5th daughter, Corinne, completed the family in 1959. During the 4 yr. stint at the Pentagon, he completed a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maryland, and received his Teacher's Certificate. At that time Cliff retired from 20 years of service in the Navy, and began his years of service as an Educator. He moved his family back to Utah. His first teaching position was, to his delight, a classroom of 35 kindergarteners, at Woodruff Elementary School in Logan Utah. During his years teaching elementary school in Logan, he also received his Master's Degree in Language Arts from Utah State University. He later received a second Master’s Degree in K-9 Math and Science Degree from Michigan State University, and his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah. Always the traveler, Cliff spent two years in Saudi Arabia as the Director of an International School. His next stop was 4 yrs.as an Associate Professor, at the University of Wyoming. From there he became the Director of the International School in Sofia, Bulgaria for two years. Where he met his beautiful wife Vanya Yossifova. He also was awarded a 12 month Fulbright Scholarship to spend 6 months in Budapest, and 6 months in Prague, where he assisted in developing computers in education. Following the Fulbright Cliff took a position as a Professor at Sheldon Jack College, in Sitka, Alaska. He and Vanya were married, in 1986, and she joined him in Sitka. Cliff & Vanya's next adventure was when he accepted the position of Professor of Education at University of NE in Cape Girardeau Missouri. Before he found his true home at National University in San Diego in 1992, where he spent the past 20 years, as Professor, Chair of the Teacher Education Department, Associate Dean, Chair of the Faculty Senate. He retired from NU in January of 2012, and received a lifetime achievement award, 'The Professor Emeritus Award', on May 14, 2012. He loved living in San Diego, driving along the beautiful coast every day to his office in La Jolla. The things that he always stated as most important in his life are: His family always, his 5 beautiful daughters, 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and his beautiful Bulgarian bride, Vanya. The Elementary School he funded in Sofia, Writing the history of his family, which is very extensive. Having the opportunity to have traveled all over the world. And he always said that he had absolutely no regrets professionally. Teaching was his life, he loved his students beyond measure, when asked when he would retire his reply would be, with a roguish smile, “On My Headstone, it will read, Now He’s Retired!” He will be deeply missed by his wife Vanya Y. Russell, (San Diego) His five daughters: Cathy & Brian Moriarty, Patricia Cronquist, Christy Reiser, Judy Spurlock, Corinne & Steve Atwood. Sisters: Myra & Kent Berg, Linda Dabb, Diana & Bill Craynor: all of Utah. As well as his wife’s family in Bulgaria. Clifford was the ultimate gentleman, always dressed & groomed impeccably, was confident & debonair. But he was always aware of those around him, with a smile, a kind word he conveyed the motto by which he lived his life: 'Always show more kindness than seems necessary' That's why he was so beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know him. A celebration of Clifford's life was held on June 5, 2012, At Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home and at his request; he was laid to rest beneath the majestic mountains in his beautiful home state of Utah