Russell Gilbert Chester, Jr.

"Rusty" • "Russ" • "Poppy"

Russell G. Chester Jr. passed away surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 78 years old.

Born on August 6, 1947, to Russell G. Chester Sr. and Elizabeth "Betty" Eucker Chester, Russ lived a life filled with adventure, hard work, laughter, mentorship, and unconditional love. Throughout his life, he answered to three names, each representing a different chapter.

To his large extended family and lifelong childhood friends, he was always "Rusty." To colleagues throughout his accomplished professional career, he was known as "Russ." But the title he treasured most came with the birth of his first grandchild—"Poppy." He intentionally chose that name to honor his own maternal grandfather, and before long, everyone who knew and loved him simply called him Poppy.

As a boy, Rusty was always moving. Family legend tells of his mother sending him outside before family gatherings to burn off energy. When she finally called him back inside, he was absolutely covered in dirt. Asked how he managed to get so dirty so quickly, he famously shrugged and said, "The dirt just flew on me!" That adventurous spirit stayed with him for the rest of his life.

Even as a child, Rusty had the heart of an entrepreneur. By age 12, he had his own paper route. He spent summers "Huck Finn-ing" on a homemade raft in the Vermilion River and finished high school by embarking on an unforgettable cross-country journey from Wakeman, Ohio, to Alaska in a Volkswagen Beetle.

Rusty dreamed of attending the United States Air Force Academy, where he finished as a runner-up for admission before enrolling at Purdue University. There he proudly became a Purdue "Reamer," driving the Boilermaker Special and enthusiastically teaching Purdue songs and chants to anyone willing—or unwilling—to listen. He remained a Boilermaker at heart for the rest of his life. He graduated from Purdue University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management.

While at Purdue, Rusty met Martha Mamula. They married and welcomed their daughter, Sally. Concerned he might be drafted during the Vietnam War, Russ enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a code breaker. Although the details of his work remained classified, his family affectionately referred to him as "the spy" for the rest of his life. His military service took him to South Korea before the family returned to the United States, where they welcomed their son, Ted.

Following his military service, Russ earned his Master's degree in Accounting from Bowling Green State University and began his career with Arthur Andersen. His future seemed bright, but one simple sentence changed the course of his life forever.

One Sunday evening, while tucking his young daughter into bed after another demanding work week, she quietly said, "Goodnight, Daddy. See you next weekend." Those few words made him realize that no career was worth missing time with his children. He changed direction, accepting a position with a company that was later acquired by ITT. His career flourished, taking him from Ohio to Illinois and then Connecticut.

In 1984, Russ accepted a position with Parker Hannifin, intentionally returning to Ohio to be closer to his children. It would become a remarkable 28-year career.

At Parker Hannifin, Russ became known not only for his expertise but for his generosity in sharing it. He volunteered with Junior Achievement, served as President of the Ohio Auditors Association, and mentored countless colleagues throughout his career.

Most importantly, Parker Hannifin is where he met the love of his life, Pamela J. Huggins.

Russ and Pam shared nearly 40 years as devoted soulmates, building a life centered on love, family and one another. Their children and grandchildren were always their greatest joy and priority. Together, they explored the world, traveling to almost every continent creating countless cherished memories. They especially enjoyed traveling with family whenever possible, playing golf, experiencing fine dining, and spending time with loved ones at their lake home, where many of their happiest moments were shared.

At age 64, Russ was diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's disease. He retired soon afterward—not to slow down, but to devote himself to the role he loved most: being Poppy.

Poppy became the grandparent every child hopes for. Whether he was picking up grandchildren from school, driving them to appointments (which somehow always ended with ice cream treats), playing games around the table, or cheering from the sidelines, he was always there. He was Elizabeth's and Charlotte's biggest basketball fan, rarely missing a game and faithfully keeping statistics from the stands, proudly cheering on every rebound, assist, and basket. His grandchildren never had to wonder if Poppy would show up—he always did.

Russ was a collector of stamps, coins, and leather bound books. He loved photography and in many family pictures has at least one camera around his neck. Retirement also meant fishing at the family lake house, traveling the world with Pam and family, enjoying spirited competition over board games and cards, and reminding anyone who asked about his health, "I have a disease, but it's not going to slow me down."

And for nearly ten years, it didn't.

His booming voice gradually became quieter, but his personality never did. He remained ornery, funny, endlessly curious, fiercely competitive, generous with his time, and overflowing with love.

Although Parkinson's stole much from him during the last two years of his life, it never completely took away the man everyone loved. There were always glimpses of Rusty, Russ, and Poppy—the mischievous smile, the sparkle in his eye, the mentor ready with advice, the competitor ready for one more game, and the grandfather whose greatest joy was simply being present.

Russ is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela J. Huggins; his daughter, Sally Chester Pruitt of Parma, Ohio; his son, Ted (Julie) Chester of Medina, Ohio; his cherished grandchildren, Keifer Pruitt, Ilexis Pruitt, Elizabeth Chester, and Charlotte Chester; his sister, Megan Pickett; his brother-in-law, Gary (Deb) Huggins; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Ohio Eastern Star in Mount Vernon, Ohio, whose compassion and kindness provided comfort and dignity throughout the final years of Russ's journey, as well as the hospice team and nurses at Fairview Park Hospital.

Whether you knew him as Rusty, Russ, or Poppy, you knew someone who made life more fun. He welcomed people into his orbit with laughter, games, stories, mentorship, friendly competition, and a heart that loved without reservation. His legacy will live on in every Purdue chant sung too loudly, every family game night, every basketball game faithfully charted from the stands, every ice cream treat after school, and every life made better because he was part of it.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or another organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.