Russell Roy Bridenbeck passed away on June 26, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Russell had achieved the great age of 92. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion Gertrude (Cord) Bridenbeck at 91 years of age who died on June 23, 2020 in Gresham, Oregon. They are survived by their four children, Larry Bridenbeck (June) Scappoose, OR, Karl Bridenbeck (Terri) Albany, OR, Diane Davis (Scott) Placerville, CA and Jan Okimura (Mike) Sacramento, CA. They have 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Russell Roy Bridenbeck was born in Portland (Jennings Lodge), Oregon on September 10, 1928. His father, Clarence Russell Bridenbeck, was born in Castleton on Hudson, New York. His mother, Sarah "Sadie" Rachel Miller,

was born in Peach Orchard, Arkansas.

Russ's Grandfather, Nicholas Breidenbach, had immigrated to America from Germany, by himself, when he was 21 years old. He arrived in New York in December 23, 1881. Nicholas married Catharine Noah, a New York native. They had many children and lived in New York all their lives. Nicholas changed his surname to Bridenbeck when he became a naturalized citizen.

Russell's mother, Sadie Miller, was one of four children. Her parents, originally from Illinois, moved the family to Arkansas, Idaho, and finally settled in Oregon. Later, some of the Miller family lived in Idaho, and Russ had talked about wonderful memories of visiting relatives during childhood summers. Sadie's ancestors were from Germany, and a few from Ireland.

Russell's only sibling, was Catherine, who was born on June 16, 1930. Russ was very fond of his little sister and watched over her throughout their growing up years.They were very close. Sadly, Catharine passed just last summer, in 2020.

After graduating from High School in Portland, on April 1, 1945, Russ volunteered to join the Navy during World War II.

He spent 3 months in bootcamp in San Diego, then was sent to Chicago to be trained as a "motor machine mate." Russ then went to New York to await the arrival of his assigned ship, the USS Older. This took a long time. He ended up being sent to Italy to meet his ship. It took 26 days to cross the ocean. He was able to see Naples, Rome and Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. With his ship still not at port, Russ traveled through Yugoslavia, boarded another ship, and finally caught up with the USS Older. He saw Italy, Greece and Turkey, and he remembered being in the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea for about one year.

At one point, when Russ was waiting in New York for his ship, he was able to visit his father's family in Castleton on Hudson. He had fond memories of this visit, since he had never met any of his father's family before that.

At the end of the War, Russ was discharged from the Navy, and he returned to his home state of Oregon.

Russ was always a very hard worker. And he was this way all of his life. He settled into living and working in Portland, Oregon. It was here, one evening, he found himself at a social event put on by the Swiss/American Ski Club. After their meetings, the club members always held dances. Russ wasn't part of this club, but somehow he found himself there. He sat on the sidelines, as people started dancing. He was not a dancer, so Russ just watched. Not soon after the dancing had started, a very attractive young woman came over to him. She introduced herself and said that as a member of their club, she was in charge of greeting new people and making them feel welcome. So, this young lady asked Russ why he wasn't dancing. Russ replied that he didn't know how to dance, and she promptly said that she would teach him. This simple conversation was the start of a long relationship, that would include marriage (almost 70 years) and four children, born within the span of five years. The young lady was Miss Marion Gertrude Cord. And they both would tell family and friends that it was "Love at First Sight."

They were married on July 29,1950, at St. John's Catholic Church, in Milwaukie, Oregon. Their first born was Larry,

quickly followed by Karl, Diane and Janet. With two boys and two girls, what a full and active household they had!

Russ worked two jobs, sometimes even three, to support his growing family. Marion worked outside their home, as well, part time, and eventually full time, when their children were older. Russ and Marion had a strong love for each other. They worked hard and provided their children, by their own example, with a strong work ethic and a deep love of family and God. They were able to also provide their children with a Catholic school education.

Russ and Marion opened Bridenbeck's Marina in 1964 and closed the doors on June 1, 1970. They worked hard at their business and reaped it's rewards, After that he and Marion moved to California with their two daughters. Russ had numerous professions but he most enjoyed contracting, as he liked working with his hands. He finished his career as a painter for Bonneville Power.

Russ had many hobbies from boating, water and snow skiing, horseback riding to playing cards. He and Marion especially enjoyed playing pinochle with family and friends. They were both very involved in their church,

St. Henry's Catholic Church in Gresham, Oregon. Russ volunteered weekly to help in the Church's kitchen where they fed the homeless people in their neighborhood. Russ enjoyed being around other people and was very social.

Russ will be missed by so many. The love of his life, Marion, was the world to him. Marion once wrote that she knew how much Russ loved her

"because he tells me every day." And she meant, every single day. Almost 70 years of love.

A memorial service for both Russell and Marion will be held on Wednesday, July 14th at 10:00 AM at St. Henry's Catholic Church, 346 NW 1st Street, Gresham, Oregon with a lunch reception to follow from 11:00-12:30. The reception will be at the M & M Restaurant at 137 N. Main Ave. This is just a few blocks from the church.

Burial is scheduled at Willamette National Cemetery at 1:00 pm. Directions and information will be available at the Memorial and at the Reception.

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