Russell was born in Decatur, Illinois and came to Arizona in 1959. He worked at LearJet for several years in the Shipping department and Burr-Brown Research Corporation for more than 27 years in the Shipping and Receiving department. He was a member of the Arizona Hikers Club and loved to hike all the mountains in Arizona and the surrounding states. He loved to incorporate his hiking experiences into his hobby of photography. He is preceded in death by his parents Urban George Weber and Anastasia Blank Weber.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Margarita G. Weber, his brother Bernie Weber from Texas, his sister Carolyne W. Baker from California, and his nephew and nieces Bryan and Tina, and nieces Laury , Leney and Lesly.