Russell Adams Reed passed awayon April 15, 2014. He was an active St. Johnsbury civic leader for over 60 years. Born to Fabian Sebastian and Glenn Emma Adams Reed on Feb. 8, 1917, he was the loving brother of James Ronald Reed, who predeceased him. An avid golf, baseball and football enthusiast, Russ was captain of the Academy baseball and football teams simultaneously in 1934, his senior year at St. Johnsbury Academy. Russ then attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1938 with a BS in economics. He cherished the memories of his Michigan years which included being a roommate of football legend, Tom Harmon, and president of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. Following his graduation from Michigan, Russ enrolled in insurance school and learned the insurance field. In 1941 Russ enlisted in the U.S. Army. His entire military service during WWII was spent in the Southwest Pacific arena including Australia, New Guinea, Dutch New Guinea and the Philippines. Initially, he was assigned to assist medics in military camps and hospitals. Russ was the recipient of six campaign bronze stars and six overseas stripes. At the culmination of his service, having risen to the rank of captain, his sixth promotion, he served on the staff of General Robert Eichelberger, 8th Army Division. Russ returned to Vermont in 1943, re-entered the insurance field and became a highly respected insurance agent throughout New England. Initially he represented Burlington Mutual and Continental Insurance Group, and then the Aetna and Travelers. In 1944 he purchased the A.B. Noyes Insurance Agency and became its president and treasurer. He eventually merged the A.B. Noyes Insurance Agency with the W.W. Sprague Agency, owned by his father and brother, and the business became Reed Insurance. He served as treasurer until it was sold to the Bouffard Agency in 1984. On May 22, 1943, Russell married his life partner, Virginia Calista Bean, (Academy '43). To this union were born three beloved children, Elizabeth Glenn ('67), James Russell ('69) and John Adams ('71). Spouses are Robert Wechsler, Gloria Salcido Reed and Donna Studley Reed respectively. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are: Ashley Elizabeth Reed (Nate Laflamme) and son, Sheldon Russell, Amy Lynn Reed (Tim) Bedor and son Barrett John, Jamie Glenn Reed (Scott) Miller and daughter, Emmalyn Grace, and Michael James Reed. Russell's civic contributions to St. Johnsbury were numerous. He served on the Academy Board of Trustees 1950-1968 in multiple capacities including vice president and treasurer; chairman of the Business Committee of North Congregational Church; president of Summer Street P.T.A.; member of the initial planning, site-search and fundraising committee of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital; auditor of the town, village and school district of St. Johnsbury and director and chairman of the St. Johnsbury Country Club Tournament Committee. He was also a lifelong member of The Walden Club, SCORE, Rotary, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, Masons, Mt. Sinai Shrine and Salvation Army. Russ cherished his affiliation with the St. Johnsbury Little League, which he coached for several years. With his partners Wes Calderwood, Ron Wilkie, and Kyle Brown, Russ actively raised money to acquire the present land site of the American Legion St. Johnsbury Little League Ball Field. In Russell's memory, donations for the purchase of new dugouts and other maintenance needs may be made payable to Roger Martel, care of St. Johnsbury Little League, and sent to 1087 Slate Ledge Road, Waterford VT 05819. A graveside military service will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 11 a.m. at the Reed plot in Mt. Pleasant Street Cemetery. Take Hastings Hill entry and turn right at top of hill. A reception follows at the American Legion, Maple Street.