M. Russell Stogsdill

Marion Russell (Russ) Stogsdill, 91 years old, died at The Holbrook Health Center at Piper Shores on December 11, 2014. Formally of Adelphi, Maryland he had been a resident of Piper Shores in Scarborough, ME since 2005. Born on June 25th, 1923, Russ was a native of Marshall, IL, and the oldest of 5 children born to Russell P. and Margaret Stogsdill. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1942. Following graduation he enlisted in the US Army Signal Corps, serving as a Staff Sergeant in Communications Intelligence during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He subsequently served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1952 to 1956 in the Army Inactive Reserves while pursuing a 30-year career with the National Security Agency and it predecessors. Russ received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University in Washington, DC in 1963 by attending night school with the help of his late wife, Ann, typing his lab reports. He was extremely active in the Masonic Fraternity serving as Worshipful Master in 1983, Grand Steward in the Supreme Council of the Scottish Southern Jurisdiction, as well as being actively involved in the York Rite and Shrine organizations. He was a 33rd degree Mason and was the building superintendent of the House of the Temple in Washington, DC prior to moving to Maine in 1998. Russ and Ann moved to Scarborough, Maine in 1998 to be closer to their only child, Russell, and his family, including two grandchildren with whom he was very close. Russ was incredibly gregarious and was happiest when he was able to interact with people; whether in the grocery store, the gas station or at Piper Shores, Russ was able to engage others in conversation and bring a smile to their faces with his affable manner. Russ had a deep and an abiding faith in God and served as treasurer for the Hillandale Baptist Church in Adelphi, MD where he was a member for many years. While he continued to attend church regularly after moving to Maine, the depth of his faith was never more evident than in the years of devoted care he provided to his wife Ann following her stroke in 2000. Russ was involved in many activities throughout his time at Piper Shores. He was a member of the marketing committee, secretary for the woodshop, assisted in establishing a dog park, and served as an enthusiastic photographer for the Piper Shores Who’s Who publication. He was also involved with the Scarborough Senior voices and TRIAD. While Russ will be remembered in his own right, he may well be best remembered as the owner of his beloved miniature Schnauzer, Piper. Their daily walks around Piper Shores were commented on by many and his work on the dog park was clearly done with Piper in mind. Russ was a dedicated husband and a loving father and grandfather. Perhaps most impressively, he was slow to anger and always quick to forgive, two qualities that we should all strive to incorporate in our daily lives. The family wishes to thank the staff at Piper Shores and Holbrook Health Center for their compassionate care and support. We would also like to thank the members of the Hospice of Southern Maine team who were so supportive during Russ’ time at Holbrook Health Center. Finally we wish to thank Tina Gilpatrick for adopting Russ’ beloved dog, Piper, when he was no longer able to care for her after he entered the Holbrook unit at Piper Shores. He is survived by his son Russell and wife Patty of Scarborough as well as his grandchildren, Matt (Stockholm, Sweden) and Kristen (Portland, ME). He is also survived by his sister Valda Bentley of Indianapolis, IN, two nephews – Richard Peters and his wife Shelby of Virginia Beach, VA and Henry Peters and wife, Joy, of Manassas, VA, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings: Ardith Perry, Ed Stogsdill and Jack Stogsdill. A 2:00 PM celebration of Russ’ life will be held on January 3, 2015 at the Manassas Baptist Church in Manassas, VA. Burial will be at the Stonewall Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Southern Maine 180 US Rte 1, #1, Scarborough, ME 04074 or The Veterans Count Program, c/o Easter Seals, 125 Presumpscot St, Portland ME 04103. Care for Russ and his family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland, ME and the Pierce Funeral Home of Manassas, VA.

M. Russell Stogsdill

June 25, 1923 - December 11, 2014