It has been 8 years that we have not been able to depend on your stability, laugh at your humorous life observations or talk about the day’s events. I always felt lighter and happier after talking with you. We still miss you and we will always love you.
Hearing any piece of classical music that he used to play. Seeing some of his favorite movies showing on TCM. Seeing a bag of Fritos( we used to fight over them when I was a kid). Hearing anything about the Cincinnati Reds. -We used to watch their games together. Going into a drug store-Dad used to do drugstore inventories. Smelling Dial soap or Old Spice.
What made Russ Durham special was his very strong sense of responsibility and loyalty to the ones he loved and made commitments to. He always knew what to do to make everyone feel secure. He always appeared strong and in control, no matter what, even when we knew his health was deteriorating. I will forever admire him, my hero.
Russ was always taking care of someone. He helped take care of his mother-in-law, driving 100 miles round trip weekly to do her grocery shopping, arrange in home help for her, and do anything else she needed done around her house. He hired his sister-in-law to work at his inventory company. He was the son(out of 4) who made sure to take care of his elderly father and to visit him regularly. He took excellent care of mom when she started getting dementia. And he was always there for me and my husband. Russ was a good man with a strong sense of responsibility. He was so dependable. He was our rock.
I spent more time laughing with dad than anyone else in my life. He made great observations about the absurdities of life. His laugh was contagious. We used to blame each other for messes made in the house to get each other in trouble with mom. Dad made me happy.