It is with great sorry that I can report to many of his friends here on AR that Russell passed away earlier today. It had been a very long, difficult and uphill battle after the surgery was completed. He had been battling phnenomena for a couple of weeks which he finally succumed too in his weakend condition. Russell helped so may outfitters, clients, and PH's he well be so gretly missed. For sure after 14-15 trips to Zim and always stopping to see Russell, Vic Falls will never be the same. No word in regards to the lodge if it will be sold or a family member may try and get in running again.I don't expect this decision anytime soon.
RIP my dear friend.

Terrible news, RIP Russ!

Terrible news. I was hoping to see him again this year. Russell wanted one last great escape last time we spoke-he wanted to float the Zambezi from Vic Falls to Lake Kariba, and thru email and FB constantly prodded me to set it up. Maybe he was joking, but it sure sounded grand to me. Russell was a great guy. Always positive and happy, regardless of his difficulties with life. I initially met Russell and David Hulme at the same time -- at Russell's Lodge, along with 3 of the original and last remaining "Dugga Boys" the last of the Rhodesian Game Rangers. Sad both David and Russell passed away without being able to see them again. I have often wondered if the three game rangers are still alive. Russell sure liked singing and dancing and stories about old Africa and adventures in distant places
I know this-God has a special place for both of them. Russell, your agony is over. Rest in peace and knowledge that you made this world a better place
One of the nicest evenings I have ver spent in Zim, at Russell's with my daughter

I never met Russell but heard many great stories of him. From what I can gather, he was a well loved and highly respected fellow. Same for David Hulme, whom I also never met, other than here on AR and Facebook.

I regret I never got to meet either fellow in person. Rest in Peace guys and may we meet one day on the other side.

Sad, indeed. We had a great time with Russell and his crew last year. His mother, very nice lady, was visiting at the time and although we did not get much rest, as Russell said, "We partied like Rock Stars". Hoping he gets to listen to AC/DC where he is at.

May Russell rest in peace, and may God comfort his mother, family and friends. He was a brave and generous man who knew no limits, and who inspired so many of us. He will be dearly missed.

Rest in peace, my friend. For me, Vic Falls will never be the same again without him. I am SO glad I got to stay with Russell at the Ultimate Lodge, and got to know him. On my very first trip to Vic Falls my brother and I stayed with him. What memories! I wouldn't have wanted to be introduced to Zim and Vic Falls any other way. The last time I talked to him he was saying he wanted to take me and my brother into Chobe. I'm sorry that will never happen. From what I understand, David Hulme was writing a book on Russell's life when he passed away not long ago, in his prime of life. Now, Russell is gone in his prime also. Very, very sad. Yes, Russell made this world, and especially Zim, a better place. See you on the other side, my friend.

Had some interesting times with Russ. Was a real character. Will not forget him.RIP Mate.

He gave it his all and that is the best any one can offer.

I would like to give life as much a go.

RIP.

He was a great guy with a larger than life character. Hope his family find peace knowing that his pain is done.

RIP!

Very sad, Rest in peace in Russell. You will be fondly remembered.

RIP Russell

Here's how most folks saw Russell.... making sure that everything was just right.

He was so good to me and my daughters on many trips to The Falls. We'll miss him. He was a good man!

Rest in peace man.

Very sad indeed.

The tragic loss of a wonderful guy who always made you feel special and welcome. Always wear the shoes on special occasions which we picked up from Russell on our last visit. So many of the greats met at his Lodge. He shall always be missed by all who knew him. If you ever visited Vic Falls and did not meet Russell you really missed the boat. Go Well Bwana!

I only stayed at the Lodge once but it was a great time with Russell and friends. RIP

RIP Russ -a great guy who was always very hospitable and generous to me and my team when we visited the falls! Cheers Buzz

My heart is Broken.....what a generous brother he was. At least part of my family got to meet him and know the man we called 'Uncle Russ'. Molepole is right......a trip to Vic Falls will NEVER BE THE SAME. RIP dear friend. I will miss you.

Vic Falls will not be the same. Sleep tight old friend.

REST IN PEACE

I never met Russell, but have heard a lot of good things about him. Had hoped to meet him when I made it to Vic Falls. We will meet another place for sure. Thoughts and prayers to all.

In his youth, and obviously before he lost the use of his legs, Russell was an amazingly sprinter. Lots of us have seen the pictures and awards on the walls of Ultimate Lodge. Thinking of my stays there, this verse came to mind:

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Legs or not, Russell never settled for second, which leads one to another of St. Paul's letters:

From the 4th chapter of 2nd Timothy

6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

I had the benefit of spending two days with Russell after my safari this summer. The evening I was there reminded me of cross between a fraternity house and the bar scene from Star Wars.

There was a cast of characters comprised of PH's, hunters, fisherman, and tourists who heard about the place. The amount of nationalities represented at the lodge would put the UN to shame. During all this Russell was engaging, laughing,drinking, and ensuring that all had a good time.

For those who passed through it felt like crashing at a buddies place when you were on a road trip.

The world is a bit less colorful without him around. Rest in peace.

What a shame! I never met Russell but heard nice things about him throughout the years. Poor guy had more than his share of bad luck.

Mark

What a shame, I was privileged to stay with Russell last summer. Those two days were the highlight of the trip.
He will be missed. Rest in peace, and leave a space at the fire for me.

God bless,rest in peace.

There are special people in this world that handle adversity well & touch lives in a very positive way, they are few, & certainly need to be honored & remembered. It is apparent that Russel was one of the few.
I never met him, but I hope I never forget him.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:
There are special people in this world that handle adversity well & touch lives in a very positive way, they are few, & certainly need to be honored & remembered. It is apparent that Russel was one of the few.
I never met him, but I hope I never forget him.

+1

No one can know how they would handle life's bumps that someone else is handling well until those cards are dealt to them. Some people have that special ability to carry the load so much better than most of us would.

Bummer. I have heard so many good things about Russell. I was planing to stay at Ultimate in June. May he rest in peace.

I never met him, but his tributes here certainly tell me it is my loss as well!

RIP!

D. Nelson

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Russell's passing. He was a good friend and an inspiration to all who had the honor to meet him. We stayed with Russell many times. On one occasion, before the total collapse of the Zim dollar, Russell gave us a whole SUIT CASE of Zim $$ to pay for dinner at the famous wild game diner in Victoria Falls known as the BOMA. The bill totaled over $100,000 dollars and we were a bit short of cash.... One call and Russell came with another suit case. We had some great times around the fire with Russell and his friends and guests on many occasions. I stopped in just last July to say hello before my lion hunt and gave him a bottle of Jamesons and told him to hold it till the end of my safari. Sadly I was not able to return.

Russell suffered more than any one human I've ever known and never complained. Always a positive attitude and keeping up the good fight. We have lost a true brother here. Rest in Peace my friend.

My wife and I met Russell in 2009 and we have tried to keep up with him since that trip. We did the Chobe Park tour, fishing in the Zambesi where my wife caught her first fish, and the helicopter flight over the Falls. He went above and beyond what anyone would have done for us on that trip. The only time I ever found him low was after his amputation and he rebounded quickly from that. I admired his spirit and personality. He is sorely missed by the two of us.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:
There are special people in this world that handle adversity well & touch lives in a very positive way, they are few, & certainly need to be honored & remembered. It is apparent that Russel was one of the few.
I never met him, but I hope I never forget him.

+1

No one can know how they would handle life's bumps that someone else is handling well until those cards are dealt to them. Some people have that special ability to carry the load so much better than most of us would.

So very well said by someone who should know! Jim, what you and Joyce have persevered through, as well as what Russell kept a positive spirit through, should inspire others who have not experienced the challenges Joyce and Russell met with a positive attitude. A positive attitude is so important, may it sustain Joyce clear back to her pre-illness health!

My Russell rest in peace.