06/01/2026
It was November 2018 when Gabriel and I pulled up to our new home in Schenectady, NY there was a group of people waiting to greet us. They had filled our pantry with food, made us dinner, and were already helping unpack the trailer.
Among them was a tall man with a beaming smile and a warm welcome.
"Pastor! Welcome."
It was Russ.
At first, I assumed he was there to greet us. After all, he was an octogenarian. Surely he wasn't there to carry furniture.
I was wrong.
Not only was he there to help unpack, but he was carrying some of the heaviest loads through narrow hallways with a smile on his face and a chuckle in his voice.
After being here for a couple of years, I was struggling with knee pain. The step between our house and deck had become difficult to manage. I called Russ, and the very next day he came to measure. Within a few days, he had built a step.
Just one step.
One beautifully crafted, faithfully made, loving step for his pastor. He was quite the craftsman.
Looking back, that step feels like a picture of Russ's life. He spent years helping people take the next step. Offering a hand. Sharing wisdom he had gained. Teaching Sunday School and life lessons. Serving in whatever way he could. Encouraging. Building. Showing up consistently.
Over the years, he brought gifts from his garden. He shared food and stories. One of my favorite Sunday morning memories was hearing him come through the door saying, "Coffee, coffee, coffee!" because he could smell it brewing.
I will remember how much he enjoyed talking about rock formations, volcanoes, the Ice Age, the Erie Canal, and meteor impacts. But more than anything, I will remember how he spoke about Jesus.
I will remember his love for Christ.
I will remember praying with him, learning from him, sharing coffee with him, and watching him faithfully serve this church he loved for more than 60 years.
The prophet Micah wrote:
"God has told you, human one, what is good and what the LORD requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
Russ lived that kind of life. He was never looking for attention or recognition, he just faithfully served and showed up.
Always willing to lend a hand. Always ready to serve. Always pointing people toward Jesus.
Thank you, Russ. ❤️
We will miss you dearly, it was an honor to learn from you and to be your pastor. We thank God for the gift of your life and the countless ways you helped all of us take the next step.
