Russell Wenzel Tribute

I haven't seen Russ since high school, but my memory of him is clear: a fun-loving, kind person of great character. I've come to this site many times in this last year. In reviewing the photos and memories that everyone has posted here, I am heartened to learn that Russ' life, though cut short, was so wonderfully rich -- in what he did and who he was -- for friends, colleagues, and family. Although I haven't seen Russ in decades, I am drawn to (and inspired by) the memories here, and I join you in missing him.

My thoughts and best wishes to Russ' family and friends.

Bruce Henderson

**Posted by Lori Sneddon Clair**

Dear Wenzel Family,

My heart is truly breaking for your loss. It's been since the early 1970's since I last saw Russ and it appears a hole new generation has grown-up. It seems like he just got married a few years ago. I hope he and Grandpa Wenzel are right now having a Zero bar together. If any of the family is interested in getting in touch, please feel free to contact me at 706 332-6718. I'll keep Russ in my thoughts, Melissa, you in my prayers and hopes that no more tragedies happen in the family. Thank you, Lori Sneddon Clair.

Tribute to Russell Wenzel

It was Monday, September 10, 1973, when I first met Russ in our BSMD sales training class at the Eastman Kodak Marketing Education Center, in Rochester, NY. It wasn’t long before he became one of the people who we all liked to be around, with his inviting smile, his command of sports topics, and his kidding around, and the showing of an indescribable photo which he claimed to be of himself. He was a riot and a lot of fun throughout our time in training. We had fun in class and out of class. We played touch football some evenings, golf on weekends, and had a few libations here and there. Russ and I went to Cleveland, Ohio, on our field training trip; and upon graduation later, we were both assigned to the Cleveland BSMD District office. Later, we were joined by another classmate, David Lewis, who had previously gone to Michigan, and sometime after, the three of us became the district’s Financial/Public Service Markets sales team. Still later, I was to assume a number of Russ’s public service markets accounts, where I found he had forged many close friendships, particularly in the cities of Cleveland, Youngstown and Painesville. His customers all loved him; he was always being asked about. Russ had moved to an apartment when we first came to live in Akron, Ohio. He met Missy, they got married, and my wife and I danced at their wedding. I met his mom and dad, his brother Ray and his wife, and even danced with Ray’s wife at the wedding. Russ and Missy lived in the Merriman Valley area of Akron and later moved to Stow, Ohio. I remember one of his parties where I proceeded to walk from the dining room to the deck through what I thought was an open door…it didn’t hurt! We all laughed! I have returned to that home in Stow a few times in recent years, as the sister of a Chinese friend of mine now makes her home there, and I have visited whenever my friend comes in from Hong Kong. As Missy knows so well, we were all a big happy family in the Cleveland District. We did a whole lot of things together, and went to a lot of places for work and play. Places such as, San Diego, CA; Boston & Cape Cod, MA; Toronto, Can.; The U.S. Open; baseball, football, and basketball games, and always the old Flats of Cleveland. From time to time, all the guys used to stop for a beer at the end of the day, on the ground floor of our downtown Cleveland office building. I remember the night I got really sick after a bottle or two – no more, I was never a big drinker – I was very happy that Russ was there, as he was the one who offered to take me home, while I left my car in the downtown parking garage, and to get me back to work the next morning. He was such a great and caring friend! I hadn’t seen or heard from or of Russ for almost twenty years. But he, like so many of the wonderful people that I worked with at Kodak, has been indelibly etched in my memory with the utmost fondness. And though, after twenty years, I had gone onto a great and stress-free life of freedom and pleasures, it was the greatest of all the time of my life, and I’m glad Russ was a part of it!

Missy, if Mike Teutsch hadn’t seen my son junior, when they were both picking up their daughters from band camp in Hudson, and told him of having just attended Russ’ funeral, where my name was mentioned by Bruce Splaine, I might never, ever, have heard of Russ’ passing. I’m therefore very grateful to Mike for the information. Attie and I share your loss with shock and deep sadness. We wish you, your sons Scott and Steve, Russ’ parents, his brother Ray and his family, and all of your extended families, our deepest sympathy for the untimely loss of your loved-one, Russell Wenzel. May you all be comforted always by the love for him that is embedded in your collective memories.

Carlton & Athelin Barnett
Copley, Ohio

It was amazing having Mr. Wenzel for a neighbor. My mother would always have me or one of my brothers mow the lawn so as to keep up with always green, always perfectly landscaped Wenzel's lawn. If ever he saw one of us coming home or mowing the lawn Mr. Wenzel would always smile wave hello. Most every evening, if I saw Mr. Wenzel, he would be wearing his tride and true bright blue, red and white windbreaker and be running around the court. He was more in shape and I was, but more importantly he was a great neighbor that everyone wishes they could have.

Dear Missy, Scott, and Steve~
The Six family is so very sad to hear about Russ.. While the years and miles have separated us, we all remember Russ fondly -always ready with a laugh, a quick, warm smile and a kind heart. We hope that time and your precious memories of such a wonderful husband and father will gradually ease the pain of your loss. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care, Love from us all, Fred, Deby, Brian, Kelly and Katie

To the Wenzel family,
I want to extend my condolences for the loss of Russ. I had the pleasure of working with Russ and could clearly see how much family meant to him. I will truly miss our conversations, his laughter, sense of humor and positive energy. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Russ’ passing is a tragic loss for everyone who knew him.