Richard Russell Schilling

Richard Russell (Russ) Schilling , 48, passed away on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 at The University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle WA. He was born in 1971, in Spokane WA, to Richard Schilling and Linda (Schmitz) Gaines. He was a 1989 graduate of North Central High School in Spokane, an associate graduate of Penn State College, and a Professional Engineer of Washington State. He married his high school sweetheart JoAnne Dutt on Valentines day 1991 in Spokane. He worked as an Assistant Project Engineer for the Washington State Department Of Transportation.

Russ lived for his family, his career, and the Denver Broncos. He took great pleasure in time with his family and most of all his children and grandchildren. He held his marriage as a holy and sacred vow and never took for granted one moment of his life. It was his fondest hope to carry on our traditions throughout every grandchild’s life. This was done through camping trips, four wheeler rides, holiday traditions, and family game nights. We will continue to carry on those traditions in his name. His career goal was to have his own office and finish the North-Spokane Corridor Project before he retired in WSDOT. His son, Rusty Jr, will continue on in his name.

Russ Schilling was an extremely devoted and beloved man. He was very caring to his family and his DOT family. He was patient and filled with uncommon wisdom. He was the man you would go to for guidance in dismal times and he was a profound leader and mentor, but amongst all of his achievements and successes he was a damn good Dad, a good man, and a Hero for so many reasons. Words cannot even begin to describe how unbelievably phenomenal this man was. He was always so selfless, putting others before himself. He was the PERFECT person and left a tremendous legacy that will never be forgotten. We will forever keep him in our hearts and even though he is in heaven, his love and presence is still felt by all of us.

Russ is survived by his wife, JoAnne, children Katie, Rusty Jr, Cristina, his parents Lin & Dave Gaines & Richard & Debra Jean Schilling, and grandchildren Brayden Truax, Couper Truax, and Parker Bender. Family, Friends, and others whose lives Russ touched are invited to Fairmount Memorial Park Chapel, 5200 W Wellesley Ave Spokane WA 99205, from 11:30-12:30 on Saturday, January 4th 2019 with reception to follow at Ball and Dodds.

My darling Russ is the love of my life and my soulmate. I will forever and always be in love with him from here and into eternity. We cherished every single moment of our lives. He is my absolute hero. There is no finer man on this earth. Forever and always. J.