Russell Deane Greenberg

Russell Deane Greenberg, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret), age 86, passed away on July 31, 2018 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Red Bluff, CA, surrounded by his loving family. Russ was born on January 5, 1932 in Ambia, Indiana to Reed and Vesta Greenberg. He attended the local elementary and high school, and secured an athletic scholarship to attend Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Russ graduated from Butler University in 1954, after which he joined the USAF, becoming a jet fighter pilot. He served honorably for 20 years, retiring in 1974 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. After his service retirement, Russ worked in the dental supply industry as a service manager and eventually started Russ’s Dental Equipment Repair & Service in Red Bluff, CA.

Russ lived life to the fullest. He was a natural musician, playing many instruments by ear, and adding his rich singing voice to many gatherings. He could repair or construct anything mechanical, including antique German clocks, for which he became a certified German Clock master when stationed in Germany in the 70’s. He helped rebuild and refurbish the inside of the old historic St. John the Baptist Catholic church in Folsom, CA. He had a special interest in photography and video, documenting his family’s lives and the many exciting places all over the world they visited, and entertaining the children with vintage cartoons on his film projector. He loved to entertain and was generous with his time and talents, always willing to help out his family, friends, and the many social groups to which he belonged during his life. His greatest pleasure in later years was to continue to fly. Russ joined with his former squadron buddies to fly in many air shows with his Stearman biplane which he rebuilt with the help of his wife, Susie. Russ and Susie also loved to travel, visiting friends and family near and far.

Russ is survived by his loving wife, Susan I. (Edwards) Greenberg; his children, M. Angie Beck (Randall), Molly J. Moore, Stephen D. Greenberg (Alice), E. Terri Jonas (Ethan), and Susan E. Greenberg; step-children Scott Edwards (Tracy) and Lisa Porta (Brian); grandchildren Mathew Moore (Ty), Erin Gibbard (Josh), Kathryn Caldwell (Ben), Shelly Song, Alisha Jonas, Joshua Jonas, Bree Sanchez (Jose), Tony Porta, Tyler Edwards, Miranda Edwards, Peyton Edwards; great-grandchildren Ayden Gibbard, Angela Caldwell, and Josephine Gibbard. He is also survived by his nephews, Don and Jim Wilson, and his niece, Carolyn Kerchner. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Francis and Bessie, and by his brother, Claude and former wife, Alma, mother of his 5 children.