Jeffrey Russell
June 22, 1947 ~ May 11, 2020
Jeffrey D. Russell, age 72, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Monona, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020, after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born June 22, 1947, to Donald and Lucile (Fowler) Russell in Glenwood, Minnesota.
Jeff grew up in Monona, Wisconsin and graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1965. He then went on to the University of Wisconsin where he majored in Electrical Engineering. He received his Bachelor's Degree in 1970, his Master's Degree in 1971 and his PhD in 1973. While at UW, Jeff was inducted into the honorary engineering and research societies of Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi.
Jeff spent most of his working life in Cedar Rapids as an electrical engineer for the Collins Radio Division of Rockwell International. Within five years of being hired, he rose from a Technical Staff Member 3 to a Technical Staff Member 8 --- the highest existing engineering position and one that is rarely awarded.
During his time at Rockwell-Collins, Jeff was the inventor or co-inventor of 13 patents, mostly having to do with microprocessors. In 1977, his company was in competition with Magnavox and Texas Instruments for a federal government contract involving the first successful GPS receiver. Rockwell-Collins won this contract and Jeff developed the computer subsystem for it.
Jeff's main hobby involved ham radio. Back in high school, he taught himself Morse Code. Around 1984, he developed an automated Morse Code transmitter called the Kansas City Keyer. Those units were produced and sold as either kits or assembled commercial units for which Jeff received royalties.
Jeff is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Clayton and Barbara of Summerfield, Florida; three nephews, Clayton of the United Arab Emirates, Allen of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Donald of Charlotte, North Carolina; and longtime friend, Jeff Spicer of Cedar Rapids.
Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
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Dear Clayton and Family, My condolences to you and the family on the passing to eternal life by Jeff. I first met Jeff at Rockwell and always appreciated his jovial spirit and engineering expertise. After retirement, I would visit with him at the Rockwell Rec Center a few times per week. He loved to shoot Basketballs and would always try to make a shot from half court. I met Clayton in October 2015 at the Hunstman World Senior Games. My thoughts and prayers are with Jeff and you all. Bill Brennan
Farewell Jeff. You taught me engineering principles that stay with me to this day.
This was mid-December 2016 in Cedar Rapids. My wife (Dorty) and I (Allen) flew in to see Uncle Jeff during that Siberian-like blizzard. We saw Arrival, spent too much time “thrifting” (which he ended up enjoying when he pointed out to Dorty a small treasure whose value he recognized), and had this nice dinner.
So sorry to hear of Jeff’s passing. I worked with him a few times over the years, and was always impressed by how sharp he was. He really knew his stuff, and seemed like a great person as well.
Jeff will be greatly missed at The Keystones of Cedar Rapids! We had the honor of knowing Jeff for about three years here! Jeff enjoyed hanging out with “the guys”. They ate lunch together every day together and spent time together! We will always smile when we have a chocolate treat – as he loved chocolate! We will miss him so much! – The Keystones of Cedar Rapids
Jeff was an great engineer, mentor to many and a good friend. We all morn his passing and a saddened that the world has lost a good man.
I was greatly blessed to have shared an office with Jeff in the late 70’s at Collins. As noted in his obit, he was extremely bright and productive — plus he had a wonderful sense of humor. I continued to work as an engineer for another 30 years. I am quite grateful to have worked with Jeff then — it was a special blessing.