He graduated from Geneva High School in 1982 then attended Kentucky Christian University where he graduated with a BA in Theological Studies. He attended the University of Kentucky where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in Law in 1991 and was in the top ten in his class. He went on to pass the California Bar Exam in September 1991 and worked for the U.S. Attorney General Ninth Circuit Court of San Francisco, CA. Russ started his own law practice in the San Francisco/Oakland area until 2001.
Russ moved back to Ohio to reinvent himself, where he left law behind him and happily took on the role of a medical professional. He started out as an eye technician at Dayton Eye Associates where he remained for the next twenty three years, ending as the executive director of CVP Beavercreek. Among other things Russ was brilliant at being a technician training coordinator, clinic supervisor, practice administrator, and he served as an adjunct instructor at Miami Valley Career Technology Center. He was an avid public speaker and often presented at seminars and events across the country for the AAOP. Russ was also a Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COTA).
Russ met his soulmate and love of his life Duane on April 4, 2004 through mutual friends. From that moment on they were inseparable. The two were married in September 19, 2018 in Niagara Falls, NY. They started their lives out in a small house with big dreams ending in the most wonderful dream they could have imagined. They purchased their dream house which started out as a nightmare for both of them, only to make it their dream home. Lovingly inviting family and friends nonstop for Christmas, Halloween and Easter. Russ especially loved Christmas where he enjoyed playing Santa Claus for all the kids. Russ also enjoyed cultivating the gardens and feeding the birds. These hobbies brought Russ and Duane the simplest of joy. Russ and Duane loved travelling near and far. Some of their fondest memories were travelling to Rome, Amsterdam, Honolulu, Branson, Asheville, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Russ was a loyal friend and coworker, if you were lucky enough to be a part of his circle then you had met the greatest person in the world.
Russ is survived by his loving husband, Duane Slusher; his brother, Randy (Patricia) Collins of Aiken, SC; his two sisters, Robin (Sean) Edman of St. Paul, MN and Rhonda Savage of Dayton, OH; four nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Wesley, Aaron and Derek; his two sister-in-laws, Connie (Slusher) Matlock, special niece, Nicole (Frank) Gutierrez and their children, Bailee and Carsen. Teresa (Gary) Freymiller and children, Jeremy and Kristopher Flynt and their families; brother-in-law, Tim West and family. Russ is also survived by numerous extended family and many close friends and colleagues.
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