Russell E. Corbitt
Corbitt, Russell E., 64, formerly of Wichita, passed away April 21, 2007, in Arizona. This gentle, sweet man was born in Neosho County, Kansas, and graduated from Chanute High School. He was also a proud graduate of the University of Kansas. Russell was a respected journalist who retired from The Wichita Eagle in 2000 after 34 years of service. He remained an avid sports fan and was an accomplished tennis player through his retirement years. He was a member of St. Stevens Catholic Church in Chandler, Ariz., and an active member of Knights of Columbus, Third Degree. Russell leaves behind his wife, Kathleen (Christy) of Chandler, Ariz.; sons Steven Corbitt of Fort Meyer, Fla., and Michael E. Corbitt of Wichita; daughters Kristine Anderson and Kathryn Vines, both of Wichita; stepdaughters Christy Roedl of Tucson, Ariz., and Rebecca Herrington of Wichita; brothers Richard (Jody) Corbitt of The Woodlands, Texas, and Ken Corbitt of Topeka; sisters Janie (Toshio) Kawawa and JoAnn (Don) Christy, both of Wichita; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents Charles Russell and Ethelene Corbitt of Chanute. Rosary 7:00 P.M., Friday with Funeral Mass 10:00 A.M., Saturday, both at Church of the Resurrection, Bel Aire, KS. Memorials to A Better Choice, 3007 E. Central, Wichita, KS, 67214 and Catholic Charities, 532 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS, 67214.
Rosary 7:00 P.M., Friday, April 27, Church of the Resurrection.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Kathy, Please know that, while I was not up to attending the services for Russ, both of you were in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to keep you in my prayers in the days ahead as you work though your grief and all the changes that the year will bring. God bless you and give you the faith and strength you will need in the days, weeks, and months to come! Shirley Luebbert
Russ was a great reporter and and an even greater person. I have great meories of my time with Russ at the Eagle and Beacon. He was a great friend and colleague. I’m happy that we had e-mailed each other before he entered the hospital. God bless him.
I forgot to leaqve our name on the previous message.
It is difficult for a man’s life on earth for 64 years to be summed up in just a few sentences. So it is with a friendship of over 30 years. Russ Corbitt was truly a gift from God, an incredibly loyal friend. He was an amazing human being who consistently lived life the right way. We all have best friends in life and Russ was the best of my best friends. I thank him for that and I thank God for that. May God grant Russ peace in eternal life.
I was saddened to read of Russ’s passing. He was such a nice guy to work with when I was sports editor of the Eagle and Beacon. It was always a joy to be around Russ. I was surprised to learn of his acumen in tennis. The only time I played him was a rout but it is nice to know it was because of his skill rather than my ineptitude. I think of him often. He will be missed.
Dear Kristi and Kathy, My deepest, heart felt condolences on the passing of your dad. I lost mine 4 years ago this August and know what you’re both feeling. I hope you are both doing well and that time will ease your pain. Sincerely, Doug Clarke (Curtis Jr. High 1979-81, Southeast High School class of 1984)
I have known Rusty since high school, but have lost contact after the National Guard days. He was always a very good person and a nice man. I am saddened by his passing. May God open the gates of heaven for him. And bless those loved ones he left behind.
What fond memories I have of growing up with Russ in Chanute. Classmates at St. Patrick Jr. High and CHS. Playing baseball, bball, tennis, ping pong, and just hanging out. THE BEST OF FRIENDS. What a great guy. The good and the great leave us too soon. Rest in Gods loving arms my great old friend. My deepest condolences to all of your loving family.
Russ my dear friend, fun loving, gentle, kind, always with a smile. We were friends since grade school, he going to St Patricks while I went to regular school, we met thru mutual friends and have remained friends for 50+ years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. God will see you through.