Russell "Russ" Edward Cwalinski

Russell "Russ" Edward Cwalinski, age 75, of Portland, Oregon passed away on Sunday February 17, 2019. Russ was born October 30, 1943 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Edward and Rose-Pearl (Kinslea) Cwalinski. The son of an army soldier, he lived in Kailua, HI until age 5, then Sacramento, CA, Ogden, UT, Ft. Monmouth, NJ, Japan and Texas. Like so many kids, his business sense started in his paper route days when he learned the value of hard work, the importance of a system that is fair to both customers and workers, the impact of efficiencies on his business success, and the joy of being his own boss.

Russ graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, TX, in 1962. He enlisted in the US Air Force after high school and served 4 years, including basic training at Lackland AFB, advanced training at Keesler AFB, and deployment to Libya, North Africa for almost 2 years. He attended Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970.

He then looked for a graduate program, visiting several universities in his $100 VW van. He chose Washington State University in Pullman, WA, where he earned a MS degree in Engineering and Architecture in 1972 and later sold the van for $100. He was always an engineer and an artist. After graduating, he enrolled in an intensive summer pottery program, worked variously in air pollution control, on the Alaska pipeline storage facility, and at Boeing before starting his own business, Edward Consulting Engineers LLC (“Edwards”), in 1986. His company served most of the high tech companies in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in facilities engineering and tool installation design. He started running during this time and ran 29 marathons before knee problems made him cut back. By the time he retired and sold the business in 2001, Edwards had over 50 employees, and he and Mark Gimpl, his business partner of 14 years, had the best partnership ever. In his “retirement” he bought, renovated, and rented out two commercial buildings that housed everything from a glass tile maker to a motorcycle shop, hair salons, office space, and apartments.

Russ met Janet Hinkamp through a mutual friend during the Edwards years. They married in Coloma, MI on August 28th, 1999, and lived in a home he designed and built near his dear friend in Portland, Richard Garfield. Russ and Jan shared a love of projects, gardening, dogs, camping, and road trips. Russ was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Predeceased by his parents; Edward and Rose Cwalinski; brother, John Cwalinski. Survived by his wife of almost 20 years, Janet Hinkamp; sisters Sandy (Barry) Litchfield and Betty Lambert; nephews Eric Glave and Jeffery Glave, niece Bethany Cwalinski, great niece Darien Rose (Glave) Satterfield, and two great nephews Matthew Glave and Harrison Glave.

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