Celebrating the life of
Russell W. Boekenheide
December 06, 1930 - May 16, 2016
Russell (Rus) Boekenheide died on May 16th in Savannah, Georgia after an extended illness. He and his wife Jan had retired to the Landings on Skidaway Island in 1988. Rus was born in St. Louis, Mo in 1930 and was raised by a loving family of aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He went on to have a distinguished professional career, which culminated in retirement from Union Camp Corporation as Senior Vice President after 20 years of service.
In his own words Rus often was known to declare, “ I don’t want to be remembered for my personal business accomplishments, of which there were many but rather for what I have become as an individual and the influence I can have on the development of others.” Though out his career he was able to blend this philosophy in his human resource work. It made him particularly effective as both a negotiator and a mentor. One employee wrote, “I benefitted greatly from your personal leadership and commitment to our development and success. You should take great pride in the organization you developed for Union Camp.”
While he avoided professional recognition, it was there. As a member of the American Paper Institute he was chosen to chair the Paper Industries Labor Relations Committee He was a member of the Labor Relations Committee of the US Chamber of Commerce and a member of the US Delegation to the International Labor Organization, a United Nations Agency in Geneva. Switzerland.
Education and the passing on of traditional values to future generations were of great personal importance to Rus. He was a Retired Faculty member of the University of South Carolina and a past member of that University’s Board. He steadfastly hung on to the value of personal communications and the need to listen and understand the needs of others.
He served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean War and felt passionate about his patriotism to this country.
He loved his life in Savannah and his life as Honorary Member of the Advisory Board of the Riegel and Emory Center at the University of South Carolina. He was a member of the board of Goodwill Industries and has served on the Board of the Live Oak Library Foundation. His was an avid booster of the Savannah Music Festival reflecting his lifelong love of all things musical.
Rus loved life. He loved to travel. He loved a good joke. His joy was infectious. But most of all he loved his family, He is survived by his wife Jan, his children Mark, Louise, Susan and Cheryl, his nine grandchildren and each and every member of his extended family.
He was in every way, one of a kind.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4:30 pm, on Thursday, May 19 at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church. A celebration of Rus’s life will be held immediately following at the Azalea Room located in the Plantation Club at the Landings.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice Savannah P.O. Box 13190 Savannah, Ga. 31416 or The Savannah Music Festival at www.savannahmusicfestival.org.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
See at end of obit.
- Susan, Savannah , Ga
Mark, Praying for God's peace and comfort for you and your loved ones.
- Yvette Gauff, New York, NY
Rus was a true Union Camp Brother and meant so much to us in so many ways! We miss him dearly!
- Jim & Ann Fendig, Savannah, GA
Our sympathies and best wishes Bob & shar
- Trenkamp, Savannah, GA
I was fortunate enough to have met Rus with Mark and my daughter Caitlin, the four of us went to a NY Giants football game in 20 degree weather with wind chills below zero. But even with the challenging temperatures it was an amazingly delightful experience and Rus held in longer than all of us youger folks. His humor and welcoming conversations will never be forgotten. May his spirit continue to influence us all. With all of our condolences - the deLahunta's
- Brian and Caitlin deLahunta, New York, NY
Mark, thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow -Mark Torre NY, NY
- Mark Torre, NY, New York
Every once in a while, you get to meet a man like Rus, I was a union Represented and always on the other side of the table but knew he said what he meant and meant what he said, knew his word was his bond and honest and true. They just don't make them anymore. Really never got to meet his family, but Mary and I send heartfelt thoughts are with his family, was an honor working with him, and will always remember.
- JoeMcCullough, Port Wentworth, Ga
Jan, All of us on the Library Foundation loved Rus and were very fortunate to have served with him. My thoughts are with you...... Chris
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
Jan, All of us on the Library Foundation loved Rus and were very fortunate to have served with him. My thoughts are with you...... Chris
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
Jan, All of us on the Library Foundation loved Rus and were very fortunate to have served with him. My thoughts are with you...... Chris
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
I worked for Rus at Union Camp in New Jersey. He was a kind, fair, and caring boss who eventually became a good friend. I have learned much from him both professionally and personally, and hope that I have lived up to the fine example he was.
- Lee and Paula Tompkins, Statesboro, GA
My heartfelt sympathy to Rus's family and friends. Our time together was precious, powerful and penetrating. Rus, you are forever etched upon my heart, mind and soul! Your Porsha
- Porsha Houser, Savannah, GA
See at end of obit.
- Susan, Savannah , Ga
Mark, Praying for God's peace and comfort for you and your loved ones.
- Yvette Gauff, New York, NY
Rus was a true Union Camp Brother and meant so much to us in so many ways! We miss him dearly!
- Jim & Ann Fendig, Savannah, GA
Our sympathies and best wishes Bob & shar
- Trenkamp, Savannah, GA
I was fortunate enough to have met Rus with Mark and my daughter Caitlin, the four of us went to a NY Giants football game in 20 degree weather with wind chills below zero. But even with the challenging temperatures it was an amazingly delightful experience and Rus held in longer than all of us youger folks. His humor and welcoming conversations will never be forgotten. May his spirit continue to influence us all. With all of our condolences - the deLahunta's
- Brian and Caitlin deLahunta, New York, NY
Mark, thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow -Mark Torre NY, NY
- Mark Torre, NY, New York
Every once in a while, you get to meet a man like Rus, I was a union Represented and always on the other side of the table but knew he said what he meant and meant what he said, knew his word was his bond and honest and true. They just don't make them anymore. Really never got to meet his family, but Mary and I send heartfelt thoughts are with his family, was an honor working with him, and will always remember.
- JoeMcCullough, Port Wentworth, Ga
Jan, All of us on the Library Foundation loved Rus and were very fortunate to have served with him. My thoughts are with you...... Chris
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
Jan, All of us on the Library Foundation loved Rus and were very fortunate to have served with him. My thoughts are with you...... Chris
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
Jan, All of us on the Library Foundation loved Rus and were very fortunate to have served with him. My thoughts are with you...... Chris
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
I worked for Rus at Union Camp in New Jersey. He was a kind, fair, and caring boss who eventually became a good friend. I have learned much from him both professionally and personally, and hope that I have lived up to the fine example he was.
- Lee and Paula Tompkins, Statesboro, GA
My heartfelt sympathy to Rus's family and friends. Our time together was precious, powerful and penetrating. Rus, you are forever etched upon my heart, mind and soul! Your Porsha
- Porsha Houser, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
