Hughes, Russel B. Peacefully join- ed his Lord on January 4, 2012 at age 96 from Catholic Eldercare of Minneapolis, where he had been lovingly cared for. Russel was a lifelong resident of Plymouth; longtime amateur radio operator, using his skills in service to others as WØIFS. He served his country in WWII. He was a humble and amazingly hard worker for 40+ years at Onan Corp., and every day of his life for others. Beloved husband of Annette for 62 years; loving father of seven, Cecile Hughes, M. Christine (Greg) Richards, Barbara Hughes, Peggy Jones, Patty (Tim) Cain, Michael (Gayle) Hughes, Ellen (Rick) Crichton; a proud grandfather and great-grandfather; brother of Jeanette Hughes. He will also be missed by many other loving relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Monday at the Church of St. Mary of the Lake, 105 N. Forestview Lane in Plymouth. Visitation 2-5 PM Sunday at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel 15800 37th Avenue N. at Vicksburg Lane and 1 hour prior to Mass at church. Interment Gethsemane Cemetery. Memorials preferred. Gearty-Delmore Plymouth 763-553-1411
Back about 1965, a 11 year old boy from a
north side neighborhood of the city of
Chicago, who had recently lost his father to
cancer, moved to a strange place of suburban
Minneapolis.
The boy had a budding interest in radio and
electronics, but was obviously lost to know
how to explore it. However, this curiosity
about science and radios was noticed by his
mother and told to his teachers at the
Catholic school.
So one day the teaching nuns introduced that
boy to a kindly gentleman from the same
parish who they knew well (his daughter
Barbara was a classmate) and whom they knew
he was an enthusiastic radio ham.
That boy was me, and that man was Russ
Hughes.
Long before the term Elmer became popular,
Mister Hughes, the only name I ever called
him, a hard working man with a large family
of his own, still took the time and energy to
be a father figure to more two young boys,
mentoring both my cousin Robin and I, in the
art of electronics and amateur radio.
He gave us our Novice license tests. But much
more, Mister Hughes also demonstrated
patience in his passion for VHF 2m
operations, and inspired awe with his skills
in home-brew and hands-on ham radio!
His help inspired both my cousin and I both
to go into technology deeper and have
successful careers. And the examples of his
strong moral character continues to have an
impact in me to this day.
I have no doubt that his soul rests in the
best of all possible places.
73 de John ex-WN0PEV / WA0PEV / now W0PV