Dan Russell:
CLASS OF 1959
Olympia High School-W.W. Miller High SchoolClass of 1959
Olympia, WA
Michael T. Simmons Elementary SchoolClass of 1959
Tumwater, WA
Garfield Elementary SchoolClass of 1959
Olympia, WA
McKinley Elementary SchoolClass of 1959
Olympia, WA
Garfield Elementary SchoolClass of 1959
Coffeyville, KS
Dan's Story
My story ... music, music, music! Always enjoyed performing. Piano soloist, accompanist, singer, conductor, teacher, clinician, etc. Career was uninterrupted and never had a "job" I didn't love. Taught Jr. High in Lakewood, Washington for 3 years after graduation from the UW. Taught at Beaverton High School for 4 years after Woodbrook Jr. High. Then, off to Boise State University where I continued directing choirs and performing at the keyboard plus a chance to teach conducting, accompanying, methods, history, theory, etc. Got my PhD at the U of O and went to teach at Michigan State. There for 4 years before being hired at Northwestern University in Evanston. My 7th year in Evanston I began working as a minister of music at Evanston's First Presbyterian Church. 12 years later, I retired.
I have a son and daughter that were born in the 1970s now living in Eugene, Oregon. Drove out to see them in 2018. Great visit! Love them a whole bunch!
My wife and I currently live in Nashville, Tennessee. I've had relatively few health worries. Enjoying retirement, bible study, and music. After I quit playing racquet ball and tennis, hiking kept me in pretty good shape. (Round is a shape, too. Right?) I am slowing down but still feel good. My wife, Deena, and I sing in our church choir and enjoying traveling, genealogy, and many good fri...Expand for more
ends.
My wife is the best friend I've ever had. We love to read, listen to and make music. Both my parents are gone. Mom died in 1990. Dad spent the last 3 years of his life with me and Deena in Skokie, Illinois. He passed in 1995, the year Deena and I were married. Miss them terribly.
I was raised in a Christian home. Around 1948, in Coffeyville, Kansas, I was baptized in the First Baptist Church. My faith has been an anchor. Deena and I have both gone from Baptist to Presbyterian.
My children are in their 30s and live in Eugene. My son is a teacher. My daughter builds bicycles. (Eugene is a haven for bikers.) Neither are currently married. I have no grandchildren, but lots of nieces and nephews.
Have had a charmed life. A number of disappointments, but none remain. I'm 80 and feel like I did when I was 18 (would you believe 70?).
I wish happiness for anyone reading this. Life's not perfect for any of us. I've been luckier than most. My best friend (next to my wife) is the cousin I grew up with starting at age 2. We're still best friends. Unfortunately, he left this earth in September (2020) and has a head-start on eternity. Close buddies for 78 years! Quite a gift!!
If you wish to communicate, I love to listen. (I'm also on Facebook.)
God bless us, everyone!
Dan or Danny (depending on when you knew me)
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