Samuel B. Russell Esq.

Samuel B. Russell Esq., 82, formerly of 823 Farr Place, Wyomissing and 15 East 34th Street, Exeter Township, died October 9th in his residence at Phoebe Berks Village, Wernersville from complications due to Parkinson's disease.

A lifelong Reading resident, he was the husband of the late Carol (Kessler) Russell, and the son of the late Samuel B. and Bertha (Brock) Russell.

He was a 1938 graduate of Reading High School, and an honors graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Economics in 1942.

Russell served with the US Navy during WWII as a Lieutenant Commander with the 127th Construction Battalion in the South Pacific.

Russell then earned his law degree in 1948 from the University of Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the Berks County Bar Association in 1949, and was honored by the Bar for 50 years of service in 1999. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Federal District Court, in addition to several Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Russell, together with the late Harold Ryan, founded the law firm Ryan & Russell in 1949. The firm is now known as Ryan, Russell, Ogden and Seltzer.

Russell also served as a Reading City Councilman from 1952-1955, and was in charge of capital Improvements that included renovation of the city's landmark Pagoda and the fluoridation of the city water system.

Later, he was named Special Assistant D.A. to spearhead an aggressive campaign against organized crime in Reading. His investigation and prosecution resulted in the 1964 racketeering convictions of the mayor and several others.

A highlight of Russell's private practice was representing Metropolitan Edison during the Three Mile Island incident in 1979. Since then his firm has become a leader in the practice of utility law.

Russell also served as the solicitor of Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading from 1981 until 1997.

He is survived by two daughters, Robin E. Russell, wife of David B. Grooters, and P. Brooke Russell, all of Media, Pa. Russell also is survived by a sister, Virginia (Russell) Yoder of Sebring, Florida.

Services will be held Tuesday Oct. 14th at 2:00 pm in Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington Street, Reading. Pastor Fred Opalinski and Pastor Glenn Miller will officiate. Viewing is at 1:00 pm until time of service. Burial will be in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading.

Contributions may be made to National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 or Phoebe Berks Village, 9 Reading Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements.