August 3, 2015
That Russ
By David W. Deuth, CFSP
President, Weerts Funeral Home
That Russ. He sure had a way about him.
Longtime readers of 50+ Lifestyles will certainly remember; if so, you’ll also understand this simple equation:
No Russ = No 50+ Lifestyles Magazine.
For newer readers or Family Focus readers or those otherwise unfamiliar with “That Russ,” allow me to explain.
“That Russ” is Russ Myers, the founder of 50+ Lifestyles. Championing the notion of a homegrown, homespun, hometown publication – from ownership to content to production to delivery – he set out with intentionality, hard work and determination to create a truly local publication for active people approaching or enjoying retirement. That was “20 plus” years ago, we decided.
Back in the early days, 50+ Lifestyles was a quarter-fold newspaper. Many of you will remember those days. It was published in black and white then; the color masthead wouldn’t come along until several years later. Shortly thereafter, That Russ was among the first to bring full color content to his entire publication. He was rightly proud of that.
Yep, That Russ. He sure had a way about him. He was good at several things and he knew it: sales, remembering names, publishing and fishing among others. I would discover soon enough that he was also good at “nudging.”
When I first met That Russ about a dozen years ago, I had already been writing monthly articles for other local publications for a couple years. That Russ didn’t beat around any bushes: he paid me a visit and asked if I would write for 50+ Lifestyles, too. “Woof,” I said. With a day job that keeps me pretty busy – and often includes night and weekend hours, too – I politely explained that I was about to discontinue my article-writing tenure.
This was not what That Russ expected to hear. That Russ told me rather succinctly that he did not consider this an acceptable response. We would have to go to breakfast.
We met at 6:30 a.m. a day or two later at Village Inn on Elmore. I arrived early; That Russ was already there, seated at what I would come to understand as “his table.” Before I could finish shaking his hand and taking my chair at the table, That Russ informed me that he’d already ordered breakfast for me – and I believe he was sincere when he said he hoped I’d like it.
The celebrity status of That Russ at this establishment became quickly evident. All of the Village Inn staff knew him by name – and he knew theirs. That Russ introduced me to each one as they came over to the table to greet him. Before long, other patrons came in and invariably That Russ knew every single one. One by one, he’d greet them and introduce me. That Russ always remembered names.
Breakfast was served. Between That Russ’s battery of questions and all of the introductions I could barely begin to eat it. Whenever I could sneak a bite, I was still chewing when the next question or the next introduction was fired in my direction. That Russ, he knew how to work a room. And, I learned quickly, he sure knew what he was doing.
Three significant things had happened in that short hour: First, That Russ nudged me to continue writing at about the exact point that I was considering stopping. He told me that he enjoyed reading my articles and sincerely encouraged me to keep writing. Argh. OK, OK. I’ll keep writing…
Second, he convinced me that if I did keep writing, I had to begin writing for 50+ Lifestyles. It was killing him, he said, to have to read my articles in other publications. Argh. OK, OK. I’ll keep writing, AND I’ll write for 50+ Lifestyles, too.
Third, as I left that discussion I realized that I hadn’t just made a connection with some publisher guy, another business person….I knew That Russ had nudged me to become good friends.
Over the next several years, That Russ and I visited regularly and had breakfast often. Same Village Inn. Same table. Each time new introductions, great stories and new memories with one heckuva guy. And, some ten years later, I’m still writing something every month.
That Russ nudged in an unexpected direction when he died quite unexpectedly just a few weeks ago. I was honored to coordinate a meaningful tribute to him at the National Cemetery on Arsenal Island. Although he never once mentioned his military service to me, I made sure that military honors were part of his tribute service. He earned that. Family, friends and neighbors shared impromptu memories and stories at the cemetery, all centered around a common theme: That Russ was quite a character. He was a fun-loving guy who loved life, loved his family, loved his work and, yes, he loved his friends. And That Russ knew we all loved him back.
That Russ, he lived life his way. And he always found a way to have fun doing it.
Yep, That Russ. He sure knew what he was doing.
I’ll be among those who will always…
Remember Well.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In addition to all his other accomplishments, Russ also inspired Mike Mickle to begin Family Focus. Look for Mike’s remembrances of Russ in the August issue of Family Focus.
David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral director and is the owner of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport and RiverBend Cremation and Quad Cities Pet Cremation in Bettendorf. He can be reached at 563.424.7055 or by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com.
