Just before Christmas 2013, Russell received the awful news that he had ALS, a progressive, incurable, neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This would change everything, but Russell wasn’t going to let this crush his spirit.

Russell’s nature was to entertain, to greet others with a quick wit, big-hearted laugh, and magnetic smile. Russell was a remarkable man who embraced living. He measured his happiness by all those who had touched his heart and enriched his life, beginning with family and including an ever-widening circle of friends. He believed in us as a spiritual community of connected souls who deserved to be treated with honesty, respect, and above all kindness. It was his belief that anything was possible if enough courage, imagination and determination were applied. In 1998, he founded an event management company with a focus on high-performance cars and motorcycles. Later, in 2005 he co-founded a successful film entertainment corporation which emphasized inspirational themes. Russell’s business experience was a combination of skill, vision and hard work.

From the time he first learned of his ALS, Russell shouldered his illness with characteristic bravery and humor. In every arena he fought for life, to experience existence in its full intensity, regardless of no known cure. Ultimately, this perspective fostered the creation of ROW non-profit organization (Rally Our World). To honor him, ROW’s mission is to enrich the lives of adults diagnosed with ALS by creating memory-making experiences that inspire hope, foster joy, and build a sense of community among those affected by the illness.