Russell McMILLAN

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McMILLAN: Russell Stewart McMillan went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 16, 2010 after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was 87, survived a number of strokes over the years and, sadly, was developing Alzheimer’s. Born to John and Eva McMillan on January 11, 1923, he grew up in Griswold, Manitoba, Canada. He was one of ten brothers and sisters, two of which survive him (Crawford and Yvonne). Russ is also survived by his ex-wife Barbara, son Richard and his wife Grace, and their three children; Kimberly, Russell and Katherine. Russ is also survived by his son Donald and daughter Linda and her children, Marshall and Kendall. Russ attended elementary and high school in Griswold, Manitoba. He was proud to have served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F) during WWII. After the war, he attended the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a degree in dentistry (D.D.S.). He started a dental practice in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, where he married Barbara, who also graduated from the University of Toronto (as a dental nurse). Russ returned to school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he graduated with both a Masters Degree and a Doctorate in Public Health. At the University of Alabama, he helped found the Department of Epidemiology at the medical school. In California he conducted air pollution research at the University of Southern California Medical School in Los Angeles. Russ was listed in the American Men of Science in 1966. He moved to Manitoba in 1968, to Gimli in 1993, and eventually retired there. Russ was an active member of the Unitarian Churches in both Gimli and Arborg and was a licensed chaplain in the Province of Manitoba. He spent many hours working on the restoration of the Gimli Unitarian Church. After a number of health issues, Russ moved into Betel Home on April 30, 2001 in Gimli. He and good friend Alex spent many summer outings going for ice cream and enjoying downtown Gimli, the people, and the views of Lake Winnipeg. He also enjoyed visits from his kids, relatives and friends. Nephew Dale and his wife Linda spent many summer days at the lake visiting. Russ especially enjoyed the water, which there is plenty of in Lake Winnipeg. He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and helped save many lives both in California and Manitoba. Helping people back to health from alcohol addiction was a big part of his life. In his later years he turned to singing and was quite good at it. Russ is missed very much by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in his name to USC, Alzheimer Disease Research Center. Please contact Elena Taylor at the USC Memory and Aging Center at 323-442-7674 or visit the website at http://adrc.usc.edu/giving/ Alcoholics Anonymous does not accept outside donations. If someone you know needs help, get them involved with AA. Two memorial services are planned; one in Gimli Manitoba in June, 2011 (date and place to be determined), and the other in San Gabriel, California after the holidays. Neil Bardal Inc. Funeral Centre (204) 949-2200. nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 31, 2010