Russell L. Kiel

Published 8:28 pm Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Jan. 10, 1929- Nov. 20, 2013

Russell L. Kiel, of Bend Oregon, died peacefully at home on November 20 after a long fight with Alzheimers and stomach cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1:00 p.m. at Niswonger-Reynolds Chapel, 105 NW Irving Ave., Bend. Russ was born January 10, 1929 in DeLamere, North Dakota. His family moved to Bend in 1942 so that the children could attend high school. He graduated from Bend High School, and shortly after married the love of his life, Ruth Seiber. As a senior in high school , he took a job with the Post Office as a part time war assistant. After graduation he continued his career with the Post Office and worked his way through the ranks to become Postmaster of Bend and MSC manager of Central and Eastern Oregon. when the Post ‘Office reorganized and became the Postal Service, his job was abolished and he transferred to Redding California as Postmaster and Sectional Center Manager in charge of all post offices in Northern California. When he took over Redding, he inherited a region with dismal performance, and in a short time turned the area around and received many awards for excellence. At his retirement in 1989, he was one of the 160 top executives in the Postal service. Ruth and Russ then moved back to Bend to be near their families, leaving many wonderful friends with whom they kept in close touch. Russ was very active in his community from an early age. In Bend he was a Little League Baseball coach, fast pitch softball catcher, AAU basketball player, square dance caller, and officiated football, basketball and baseball. Just out of high school, he was offered a minor league baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, but with a new family, decided the Post Office was where he needed to be. He enjoyed skiing and their camping and travelling by car with the boys. In Bend, Russ was active in the Jaycees, the United Way, and Rotary. In Redding, he continued his work with the United Way and Rotary. Upon returning to Bend, Russ volunteered at the Red Cross, while also being a 45-plus gallon donor. He was a member of the City of Bend Planning Commission, and for 13 years served on the Board of Directors for Central Electric Co-op. Both he and Ruth belonged to the Deschutes Pioneers. Along with his volunteer work, Russ and Ruth found time to tour with their RV, visiting every state and all but one province of Canada. They made several trips with friends RVing to Alaska. They finally managed to make Russ’s dream trip and cruised through the Panama Canal, starting in Miami and ending in Vancouver, BC. They also travelled to Germany and Mexico. Russ was a steady figure at Bend Senior High football, basketball, and baseball games, and being an avid singer always enthusiastically sang both the National Anthem and Bend High Fight Song. Russ was a season ticket hold for Oregon State University football, and made many trips for basketball and baseball. He made friends very easily, and rarely met anyone he couldn’t have an interesting conversation with. Russ is survived by his wife, Ruth of 66 years, son, Steve (Heather) of Bend, son, Kevin (Courtney) of Homer, AK, granddaughter, Kristal of Bozeman, MT, and his constant companion, Kenai, their poodle. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Kiel, mother, Maud Kiel; brother, Colonel Robert Kiel USAF retired of Boise , and brother, Gene Kiel of Corvallis; sisters, Donna Garlington of Boise, and Barbara Hull of Salem.Russ led a rich full life and his memory will remain with all who knew him. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, or the American Cancer Society. The family would also like to thank Partners In Care for their help and compassion in Russ’s final days. Love you Dad !Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is honored to serve the family, 541-382-2471