Libert, Russell David

Russell David Libert - age: 96
(June 01, 1920 to June 29, 2016 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Russell David Libert (June 1, 1920 – June 29, 2016)

Russell David Libert, age 96 died on Wednesday night June 29, 2016 at his home in Ukiah, California. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife Jane Elizabeth O’Brien Libert on October 3, 2000. He is survived by his six children: Kathleen Bottorff, Barbara White, David Libert, Richard Libert, Susan Glahe and husband Tom, and Mary Pat Hinoki and husband Glenn, as well as his five grandchildren: Laura White Johnston, Leslie Bottorff Rhone, Tracy White Meyer, Jason Libert, Christopher Libert and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Russ was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Elmer Joseph Libert and Kate Marie Torgersen Libert. He was the middle of three brothers. His older brother Elmer is deceased and his younger brother Glenn lives in Michigan City, Indiana. Russ graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1943 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

He and Jane were married on June 5, 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a junior officer (LTJG) on the USS Tingey and returned home afterward to Wisconsin where he and Jane raised their family. In 1961 they moved to Orange County California, where they lived for the next 30 years, with the exception of a two year period in which they lived in Reno, Nevada. During his long and successful career as a metallurgical expert in VP and presidential positions, he travelled extensively and made friends around the world. Aside from work, he and Jane were both active volunteers, mostly through their church. Both were lifelong members of the Roman Catholic faith.

They moved from Southern California to Ukiah in 1990 when Russ filled the role of VP, General Manager at Remco in Willits. Originally, a temporary situation, Russ and Jane fell in love with Ukiah and decided to make it their permanent home. They joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ukiah and jumped right into volunteer work. Russ was active in Plowshares, served as a docent at the Grace Hudson Museum, and was on the finance committee at St. Mary’s. This fell in line with Russ’ giving and generous nature. I think many have stories of his kindness and generosity, probably some that we don’t even know about. Among his many wonderful traits, another that stood out was his integrity. He was also blessed with great intelligence, a remarkable memory, and had an unlimited reservoir of knowledge. Whatever question you had on just about any topic, he seemed to know the answer. He seemed to have knowledge about anything and everything. If there was something where we needed more information, the answer was always, “ask Dad, he’ll know”.

Russ always enjoyed having his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren come up for visits after moving to Ukiah. He will be greatly missed by his family who loved him so much, as well as by his many wonderful friends. On June 29, 2016, the Lord reached out and took the hand of a most wonderful soul and welcomed him into heaven where he was reunited with his beloved Jane.


Memorial mass will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 11: 00 AM at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a memorial donation to:

St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church
900 S. Oak Street
Ukiah, CA 95482

or

St Mary of the Angels Catholic School
991 S. Dora Street
Ukiah, CA 98542