Richard W. Russell, age 75, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at The Ohio State Medical Center. Dick graduated from OSU with a BS in Education (1955) and later received his MS in Education (1967). He was a veteran of the United States Army, Third Armored Division, Ft. Knox.

Coach Russell's teaching and coaching career spanned many years. At Upper Arlington Schools, he was a teacher and swimming coach from 1957 to 1964. He then moved on to Kenyon College, where he was the swimming, golf and football coach from 1964 to 1968. At Bucknell University he was an Associate Professor. He was the men's head swimming coach from 1968 to 1994 and he established the Bucknell water polo program and was instrumental in developing the sport througout the Eastern United States and founded the Collegiate Water Polo Association in 1970. This association originally only included a few teams and now as a result of his pioneering work in establishing this league, he laid the foundation for a nationwide conference that includes over 230 teams.

Coach Russell won numerious conference championships in both swimming and water polo and competed in the NCAA's many years. As a result of his consistent success, he was the first Bucknell coach to record more that 100 victories in two sports. Upon his retirement, he was elected into the Bucknell Hall of Fame as well as the Collegiate Water Polo Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Lou; his son David (Jane) Russell, Danville, PA; his daughter Jennifer (Ron) Lachey, New Albany, OH; grandchildren Zach Russell; Mia, Ava and Blake Lachey; brother John E. (Jodie) Russell, sister-in-law JoAnn Wayson, niece and nephews Lisa Frantz, Kevin Russell, Scott Russell and their families.

Preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Evelyn Russell; brother William Russell. Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 11:00 ? 1:00 p.m., Thursday at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna where the Funeral Service will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2008. Interment Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dick Russell Swimming and Water Polo Scholarship Fund attn: Bucknell University Athletics Lewisburg, PA 17837 Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a special memory with Mr. Russell's family.