Timothy “Tim” Russell passed away on April 30, 2023 in Syracuse, New York at the age of 68. In grieving his loss, the family encourages others to remember Tim’s life as he lived it: in his passion for education, literature and music, his love for family and friends, his dedication to his students, and his lifelong celebration of nature and the environment.

Tim retired as a professor from SUNY Sullivan Community College, where he taught literature and ethics, served as head of the Honors Program, and was honored with both the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Hudson Fidelity Award for contributions in his field. Throughout his life, Dr. Russell was an avid scholar. Graduating from Urbana H.S. in 1973, he went on to graduate summa cum laude from Miami University of Ohio, where he also received his M.A. before completing a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Loved and respected by his students, Tim encouraged academic inquiry and supported many student initiatives including clean-up efforts for Hurricane Katrina, animal advocacy and climate change awareness. Tim also taught courses at Woodbourne, Sullivan and Eastern Correctional Facilities through programs such as the Bard Prison Initiative where he acknowledged teaching some of the finest students he was privileged to teach.

In addition to his teaching, Tim had many lifelong passions to which he devoted his time. A dedicated musician, Tim had performed in bands in Ohio, New Mexico and New York and is credited for writing close to 100 songs. As an enthusiastic traveler, Tim felt fortunate to visit many places around the globe as well as to have the opportunity to live in places such as Colorado, New Mexico, New York, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Japan. He enjoyed many hours playing golf and following Ohio State Buckeye Football and Basketball.

Tim loved his family deeply and maintained close ties despite the miles that separated them. Predeceased by parents, Mary and Sam Russell, of Urbana, OH, and sister, Sharon Davidson, née Russell, Tim is survived by his son, Samuel W. Russell (Rachael), a brother, Robert Michael Russell (Teresa), a sister, Shelley Russell (Steve Oates), and his extended family, aunt Janet Yost (Kim), and his nephews and nieces Kyle Davidson (Noel Fonseca), Derek Davidson (Karen), Chad Russell, Glory Russell-Parks and Mary Davidson.

“He was a great brother. He was a great friend. He was a loving father. He was a loving son.”

Tim’s family asks that friends not send flowers, but rather, make a donation in Tim’s name to the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, New York (Woodstock Sanctuary.org).