Philip Walter Russell, M.D.

Russell, Phillip Walter, 92, quietly slipped into Eternity, Friday, September 19, 2014, encircled by loving family members and dedicated Larksfield Health Care Facility staff. Born, February 20, 1922, in Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated from Westtport High School.. He earned the Rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Russell was predeceased by both his parents, Harlan Arthur Russell, who died when he was 13 months, and his mother Ethel Myrtle Keeler. He was a Doctor of Internal Medicine, who practiced the majority of his medical career at the Wichita Clinic until he retired in at 72 after 49 years. He was with a young group of doctors enlisted by the founders of the Wichita Clinic in the early 1950s to develop an integrated practice of medicine. He was second generation graduate of the University of Kansas, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts June 1, 1942, and received his Doctors of Medicine from the KU School of Medicine in Kansas City, October 29, 1944. Dr. Russell was also a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and was elected Fellow of the American College of Physician, Nov. 9, 1963. Dr. Russell served his country in World War II in the Pacific Theater, Philippines, as Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Dr. Russell was an avid tennis player, and a charter member of the Wichita Racquet Club, started by a group of Wichita tennis enthusiasts in the 1960s who saw the need for Wichitas first indoor tennis facility. He was a former Wichita Senior Mens doubles champion. Dr. Russell was a Team Leader of Operation Moonwatch, a program developed in 1956 by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to have amateur astronomers stationed all over the U.S. to regularly track satellites and record specific reading to be sent to Washington. He participated until the program was discounted in 1975. A memorial service is at 1:30 P.M., Wednesday, September, 24, 2014 at Plymouth Congregational Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara May Russell, by second wife, Suzanne Grigsby Woolley Russell; and by his last love, Sue Nosler of Denver, CO. Survivors include his children, Jane Russell Galay of Cleveland, TN, Paul Russell (Maureen) of Wichita, Trish McDaniel (Mike) of Galveston, TX, and Wendy Russell of Wichita; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; step-children, Leslie Woolley of Phoenix, AZ, and the Hon. William Woolley (Debra) of Wichita; Sue Noslers children, Lance Linderman (Beth) and Carre Warner (John) survive him and are a part of the family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation of Kansas, Inc., P.O. Box, 781754, Wichita, KS 67278, Downing Lahey East.