News
It is with deep sorrow that we say goodbye to an extraordinary and talented colleague and friend
RUSSELL, Dr. Peter
1949 - 2007
It is with deepest sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Peter Frederich Russell. Pete was born in Edmonton on May 27, 1949 and died peacefully in his sleep on February 6, 2007 at the young age of 57 years. He is remembered with great love and affection by his wife and best friend Joanne; his beloved daughters, Jesse, Michelle, Tara and Patty; his mother Stella Russell; sister Isabel Gill (Coleman); brother Nigel Russell and wife Vicki (Leduc); sister Jill Amstutz and husband Emil (Switzerland); sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Doug Springer (Tennessee); sister-in-law Laurie Burland; father-in-law Bob Burland; and Barbara Burland. He was also loved and admired by his nieces and nephews, Robert and Christy Springer, Bridget Kosempel and Nigel Hamacher, Melissa and Micaela Brown, Shannon Jordan and Shelah Russell, and dog Charly Russell. He is predeceased by his father Dr. William F. Russell and his mother-in-law Lucille Burland. Peter was raised and educated in then Crowsnest Pass and was Valedictorian of his graduation class in 1967. He financed his university education by working in the coal mines and on the pipelines. He attended the University of Alberta where he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and graduated with a BSc and MD in 1973. He worked for four years as an emergency physician at the Edmonton General Hospital. Pete then moved to Calgary where he completed his Internal Medicine program and pursued his passion in Cardiology, graduating from the University of Calgary's first Cardiology program. He held his practice at the Associate Clinic and worked out of the Foothills and Rockyview hospitals. He was a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-Specialist Certificate in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He was very dedicated to his profession and was greatly appreciated by his colleagues and patients. Pete married Joanne in 1981 and last summer they celebrated their Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary. Together they raised their family and enjoyed many days of golf and skiing. With their four children they spent every summer at their cabin in Whitefish, Montana. Pete's passions were reading, golfing on and off the course, and watching the beautiful sunsets and stars from his new home in Bearspaw (his cabin in Canmore). Pete loved the simple things in life and was a pillar of strength to many. He will be truly missed and always remembered. A celebration of Pete's life will be shared at Parkdale United Church (2919 - 8 Avenue N.W.) on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Jan Craig officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded through www.commemorativeservices.ca . If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta (No. 200, 119 - 14 Street N.W., Calgary, T2N 1Z6. Telephone 403-264-5549). Published in the Calgary Herald on 2/8/2007.
