by Sue Loveridge
Brian Dongbu Russell was born in Seoul, Korea, in the late spring of 1972. Holt international Adoption Agency became his guardian around the age of 2. At the age of 3, he joined the family of Keith and RevaBeth Loveridge Russell.
Anxious to see the newest addition to the family, Brian's Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge, along with Mac and I, headed out across the country to Champaign, Illinois, where RevaBeth and Keith were living at the time. There we first laid eyes on Brian - a cute, sweet 3 year old bundle of Korean yumminess. He knew little, if any, English, and I knew even less Korean, yet we bonded in the backseat of Grandpa Loveridge's gold Plymouth. I remember one night on that trip with crystal clear recollection. It had been a long day of traveling and sightseeing, and the adults were hungry and exhausted - let alone a little 3 year old. We were looking for our motel and Brian was in his car seat - restless and starting to get whiney. Oh, yes, everyone, I said car seat! Bear in mind, this was 1975 and absolutely no-one used car seats. But, RevaBeth and Keith, ever the vigilant, loving and caring parents made sure their new son was protected and comfortable in a car seat. Anyway, I was sitting next to Brian in the back seat and was trying to distract him. I pointed out the window at the bright summer night and said "moon." I will never forget watching that darling little boy try to wrap his tongue and mind around this new word. Brian was persistent, even at age 3, and with lots of coaching, giggles and practice, by the time we got to the motel "moon" was a new word in his ever expanding English vocabulary.
Brian has two younger sisters, Layna and Shondra. He was sealed to his family in October of 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Brian grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Springville, Utah. He graduated from Springville High, always proud to be a Red Devil. He served an LDS mission to the Illinois, Chicago area. He obtained his associates degree from Stevens-Heninger college.
There was nothing that Brian couldn't fix or improve. He was employed by Cascade Collision at the time of his death. Brian seemed to know everyone, in all stations of life. He was the truest friend you could ever wish for. When Brian was in high school, and for a time after his mission, at totally random times, the doorbell would ring and in would walk Brian. He would sit at the bar and watch me work in the kitchen, usually making dinner. And we would talk, laugh and catch-up. Brian always asked my opinion and advice, even though sometimes he didn't like the opinion and advice I would give. And sometimes it was obvious he hated the advice and opinions I had on his life. But, what I loved about Brian and what I learned from him was that even when we disagreed - and sometimes we really disagreed - he always treated me, and my opinions, with love and respect. No matter how intense or heartfelt our visits were, we always hugged and parted friends.
Brian was honest and had a work ethic reminiscent of his grandpa Loveridge, whom he idolized. He was always striving to help others in any way he could and was a tissue donor. Brian also had the sharpest crap detector ever and was not afraid to use it.
He is survived by his girlfriend, Melissa Bennett, and her daughter, Sierra, of Orem; his mother and father of Springville; his sister and brother-in- law, Layna and Patrick Torsak of Springville; his youngest sister Shondra Russell of Salem, Oregon; his grandmother Hattie Russell of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada and his 3 nieces and 3 nephews, who adore him.
Instead of flowers (What would I want them for? We can hear him say) the family has requested that donations in Brian's name be made to Holt International Adoption Agency.
Brian loved deeply, was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.