George Russell, former UMKC chancellor and UM president, dies at 95
Dr. George “Bullet” Russell, 95, of Lee’s Summit, died at his home in John Knox Village on Dec. 27, 2016.
Dr. Russell was the UMKC chancellor and UM president, starting his career with the UM system in 1977 and retiring in 1996.
According to his obituary, Dr. Russell rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy, having served in World War II. He received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and then received his Master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Russell also earned his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Illinois.
After his 20-year naval career, Dr. Russell taught physics at Southern Illinois University and then went into administration at the University of Illinois, becoming Dean of the Physics School and then Vice-Chancellor for research. In 1977 Dr. Russell was appointed Chancellor of UMKC by the Missouri curators where he served for 14 years.
In 1991, he was appointed the top position as President of the University of Missouri system at Columbia and retired in 1996.
Statement from Michael Middleton, interim UM president:
The funeral service will be Friday December 30, at Langsford Funeral Home, at 2:00 p.m. The visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. The military and graveside services will be in Charleston, MO, at the IOOF Cemetery on Jan. 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Flowers and memorial contributions may be made to Lee’s Summit Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1393, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.
