Russ Perry came running up to me like an eager little boy a number
of years ago, after my District Grants presentation at PETS. His exuberance and
energy was uncharacteristic for the event, but it actually was characteristic
of Russ. At the end of that first meeting he declared, "we are going to be
great friends!" and that's exactly what happened.
Over my years of friendship with Rusty, I heard many stories of
his Rotary escapades, the money he raised for one cause or another, the grants
he wanted to participate in, his clubs' many projects. He used to hike
dictionaries to the Indians at the bottom of the Grand Canyon as part of the
Vernal dictionary project. He always took things to the next level, going way
beyond what most of us ever consider to serve more and better.
He was that way with peace, and as a member of the District's
Peace Committee, he took the initiative to travel to a number of Rotary Clubs,
promoting Peace as an Area of Focus in Rotary and Peace Ambassadorial
Scholarships. He was a key decision maker in the commitment by the District to
move forward in sponsoring the Columbia Peace Initiative Global Grant, and
actually assisted in raising money towards it despite his own personal
difficulties this past month. His biggest passion in the world was peace
through helping people. He was a man of strong conviction and dedication to his
family, his friends, his Rotary family and he will be missed.
When Governor Bev asked me to write this article, I wasn't sure if
I was the appropriate one to write it. There are many people who knew him
longer and better than I. Yet I also realize as I have spoken with many of you
this week, that we all had the same love for Russ, and that the one thing I
could do, was mirror that love back to you.
Love and light,
Kris Swanson
District Grants Chair
Rotary District 5420
