1940
Stephen
2016
Stephen Russell
March 9, 1940 — April 15, 2016
Stephen Russell
Sunday funeral services will be held for Steve Russell; Indiana business leader, philanthropist and proponent of education and the arts who passed away on April 15, 2016, at the age of 76.
Steve was born March 9, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. He was, at that point, the youngest-ever graduate of Stuyvesant High School and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell University, where he excelled academically and forged a lifelong relationship with the school. He had a varied and successful career with numerous accolades and achievements.
Steve began his career in the mid 1960's at Ford Motor Co. in the Product Planning Group. From Ford, he transitioned to become President of Hertz Trucks (present-day Penske Corporation.)
After leaving Hertz, Steve went on to hold the position of President and CEO of Seatrain Lines, a NYSE-listed company. Later, he led Barsac, a general contracting company responsible for the construction of Riyadh King Khalid airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In 1985, Steve co-founded Celadon Group, Inc., and became the company's Chairman and CEO in 1995. Under his leadership, Celadon has grown to become one of Indiana's largest employers and one of the United States' top fifty truck transportation companies.
His philanthropic endeavors are numerous. He worked tirelessly to give advantages to those in need. Some of his most notable contributions were in the areas of education and the arts. Steve was passionate about providing others with the advantage of an education. In addition to being a Life Member of the Cornell University Council and Emeritus Member of the Johnson Graduate School of Management Advisory Council, he established four separate scholarship funds and awards at Cornell. He was proud to have created and funded the Russell Family Scholarship, the Russell Family First Generation Scholarship, the Stephen Russell Family Teaching Award for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Stephen Russell Family Teaching Award for the Johnson Graduate School of Management. In his desire to make a difference closer to home, he formed The Russell Education Fund at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, which provides theatre tickets to area students for local productions. Herron recognized Steve and Livia's commitment to the school by naming the original IMA building the Steve & Livia Russell Hall. Steve served on the boards of Herron High School, Eiteljorg Museum, IUPUI, and Phoenix Theatre and, from 2010-2012, he served as the Chairman of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Phoenix Theater's main stage honor's Steve's dedication to the local arts community and is named the Livia and Steve Russell Theatre. The new Phoenix Theatre building, to be completed in the fall of 2017, will be dedicated to Steve for his love, vision and support of the Phoenix. Steve also funded the student access program at the IMA and contributed to the IMA Design Center, which was built in 2014. Steve and his wife Livia funded Popsie's Pantry, an Indianapolis north-side food pantry, after learning of the strong need in the community. Steve was proud to have received the "Sagamore of the Wabash" designation from then Governor Mitch Daniels for his work on Daylight Savings Time.
Steve's family was certainly his proudest achievement. He will be missed most by those who knew and loved him best. He is survived by his loving wife, Livia Klain Russell; beloved children, Melissa (Matthew) Rubel and their children, Jeffrey, Michael and Joshua; Stewart (Meg) Russell and their children, Charlie and Zachary; Jonathan (Sue) Russell and their children, Jason and William; sister, Pearl Greene; step-children, Jodie (Ralph) Balber and their children, Brad and Dylan and David (Sherri) Klain and their children, Brady and Mason and nieces, Jan Greene and Victoria (Mohammad) Uni.
Steve's brother, Jules Russell, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 West 70th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46260 on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 1 PM. Burial will follow in Beth-El Zedeck's Memorial Park Cemetery, Fishers, IN.
In keeping with his passion for helping others, contributions may be made in Steve's memory to: Cornell University, designated to the Russell Family First Generation Scholarship Fund, Cornell University, Box 25842, Lehigh Valley, PA, 18003-9692; Herron High School, 110 East 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202; The Phoenix Theatre, 749 N. Park Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202; or Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.
Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the Steve's online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.
Sunday funeral services will be held for Steve Russell; Indiana business leader, philanthropist and proponent of education and the arts who passed away on April 15, 2016, at the age of 76.
Steve was born March 9, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. He was, at that point, the youngest-ever graduate of Stuyvesant High School and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell University, where he excelled academically and forged a lifelong relationship with the school. He had a varied and successful career with numerous accolades and achievements.
Steve began his career in the mid 1960's at Ford Motor Co. in the Product Planning Group. From Ford, he transitioned to become President of Hertz Trucks (present-day Penske Corporation.)
After leaving Hertz, Steve went on to hold the position of President and CEO of Seatrain Lines, a NYSE-listed company. Later, he led Barsac, a general contracting company responsible for the construction of Riyadh King Khalid airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In 1985, Steve co-founded Celadon Group, Inc., and became the company's Chairman and CEO in 1995. Under his leadership, Celadon has grown to become one of Indiana's largest employers and one of the United States' top fifty truck transportation companies.
His philanthropic endeavors are numerous. He worked tirelessly to give advantages to those in need. Some of his most notable contributions were in the areas of education and the arts. Steve was passionate about providing others with the advantage of an education. In addition to being a Life Member of the Cornell University Council and Emeritus Member of the Johnson Graduate School of Management Advisory Council, he established four separate scholarship funds and awards at Cornell. He was proud to have created and funded the Russell Family Scholarship, the Russell Family First Generation Scholarship, the Stephen Russell Family Teaching Award for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Stephen Russell Family Teaching Award for the Johnson Graduate School of Management. In his desire to make a difference closer to home, he formed The Russell Education Fund at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, which provides theatre tickets to area students for local productions. Herron recognized Steve and Livia's commitment to the school by naming the original IMA building the Steve & Livia Russell Hall. Steve served on the boards of Herron High School, Eiteljorg Museum, IUPUI, and Phoenix Theatre and, from 2010-2012, he served as the Chairman of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Phoenix Theater's main stage honor's Steve's dedication to the local arts community and is named the Livia and Steve Russell Theatre. The new Phoenix Theatre building, to be completed in the fall of 2017, will be dedicated to Steve for his love, vision and support of the Phoenix. Steve also funded the student access program at the IMA and contributed to the IMA Design Center, which was built in 2014. Steve and his wife Livia funded Popsie's Pantry, an Indianapolis north-side food pantry, after learning of the strong need in the community. Steve was proud to have received the "Sagamore of the Wabash" designation from then Governor Mitch Daniels for his work on Daylight Savings Time.
Steve's family was certainly his proudest achievement. He will be missed most by those who knew and loved him best. He is survived by his loving wife, Livia Klain Russell; beloved children, Melissa (Matthew) Rubel and their children, Jeffrey, Michael and Joshua; Stewart (Meg) Russell and their children, Charlie and Zachary; Jonathan (Sue) Russell and their children, Jason and William; sister, Pearl Greene; step-children, Jodie (Ralph) Balber and their children, Brad and Dylan and David (Sherri) Klain and their children, Brady and Mason and nieces, Jan Greene and Victoria (Mohammad) Uni.
Steve's brother, Jules Russell, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 West 70th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46260 on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 1 PM. Burial will follow in Beth-El Zedeck's Memorial Park Cemetery, Fishers, IN.
In keeping with his passion for helping others, contributions may be made in Steve's memory to: Cornell University, designated to the Russell Family First Generation Scholarship Fund, Cornell University, Box 25842, Lehigh Valley, PA, 18003-9692; Herron High School, 110 East 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202; The Phoenix Theatre, 749 N. Park Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202; or Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.
Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the Steve's online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Russell, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 14
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors