Russell Pandina
Russell Pandina
Russell Pandina passed away Feb. 10, at his home surrounded by family and his dog Gizmo. He endured a long brave fight with heart complications and infection. Russell had an unbelievable will to live and strived to be happy through it all. He continually amazed family, friends, and the medical community he worked with.
Russell learned to value integrity, hard work, honesty and bravery as a young child. He often told others about his first job at about 8 years old. He had a long, cold early morning newspaper route. His father made him give him half of any money earned to help support the family. He always thought secretly maybe his father was saving it for him, but eventually found out it was not the case. He attended both Catholic and public schools. He grew up fishing and hunting for fun as well as to help feed the family. Russell tested his teacher’s patience and tempers throughout grade school and high school while always achieving excellent grades. He needed the straight “A’s” to satisfy himself more than anyone else. As a teenager he worked at a typical ‘50s fast food burger place and a grocery store. In 1952 he joined the Air Force.
Russell had a great and dedicated love for his country. He joined the Air Force as an Airman and was stationed at Griffiss AFB until March 1965. He was then promoted to Captain in the US Air Force and selected to enter into an Air Force education program which led him to a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State University. Russell graduated magna cum laude and academically placed third in his class. He was a member of Phi Kappa Nue, and Chi Gamma Lota, both honor fraternities.
After graduation from Oklahoma State University Russell attended Officers Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was a distinguished graduate of OTS and was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the Air Force in August, 1967. Due to his high academic grades he was selected to attend the University of Illinois for graduate work in electrical engineering. Russell received his master’s of science in electrical engineering in January, 1969.
Then, he was commissioned as a research project engineer with the Department of Defense at Fort Mead, Maryland. There, he designed and supervised construction of state-of-the-art electronics used by the services. Russell then worked undercover for the National Reconnaissance Program (NRO) launching satellite missiles over the Soviet Union. This was a program designed by the Department of Defense and the CIA to ensure another Pearl Harbor would never happen. This undercover work involved using false identification and traveling without his family knowing where he was going or what he was doing. Russell and the other men who served in the NRO were honored in September 2011 at the National Air and Space Museum for their dedicated work where the whole program was brought out of secrecy.
From 1975-1976 Russell studied pre-med and biological science in Santa Barbara, California. From 1976-1980 he attended George Washington University Medical School in Washington, D.C.
From 1977-1985 Russell owned and operated three different solar companies in Maryland, California, and New Mexico. He designed a revolutionary “Solar Fire System” which provided hot water and heating for the whole house regardless of the amount of solar energy available.
During 1987-1988 Russell was President/Marketing Director of RAP of NM. He marketed a patented advertising product called the “Joey Board.”
1988-1996: Russell owned and operated businesses in Northern Idaho and Northwest Montana for the sale of electronic credit card systems and the services of a processing center representative for Master Card and Visa. Russell and his family moved to Columbia Falls in 1992. From 1996-2014, Russell owned and operated Bancard Services ATM sales and service.
2010-to-present: Russell owned and operated an event venue, “A Field of Dreams” in Columbia Falls.
A major part of Russell’s life was about teaching and competition. It was reflected by his decisions to help countless family and friends with advice and finances to succeed in their life and businesses. Russell loved all sports, especially golf. He became an excellent golfer and played for the Air Force Academy of golf. While serving his career of 16 years in the military he proudly golfed on tour for a period of time along with his other duties.
Russell loved boating on Flathead Lake, including the times of getting lost in the dark unable to find the way back in to the dock. He loved traveling through his own country as well as exploring other ones.
Spending time with family became one of Russell’s favorite things. Over the years he developed a special connection with children. He began a tradition of reading “The Night Before Christmas” to all the little ones in the house and never missed a year in over 30 years of reading it since beginning the tradition. He really enjoyed being around grandchildren. Russell and his wife designed and created a legacy in a large back yard for children, grandchildren, and future generations of family and friends to remember him by and enjoy.
He attended Easthaven Baptist Church in Kalispell when his health allowed. His love, faith, and solid belief in salvation gave him the strength to get through the ill health he endured in his last years of life.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Clara Pandina; a brother John Pandina; and a son John McMunn.
Russell is survived by his wife, Charlene; daughters Tammy Pandina Scot, Alisa McMunn, Jessica Goodsell; and sons Russell Pandina II and Shaun Pandina; grandchildren Jesse Colosimo, Cameron Scot, Cody Pandina, Kyla Pandina, Sydney Pandina, Alexis Pandina, Kelvin Pandina, Noah Pandina, Jeremiah Pandina, Jillan Goodsell, Jordan Goodsell; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Anthony Pandina and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Russell will be extremely missed by so many people so special to him. We love him and look forward to being reunited with him on the great day of Christ return to claim his own for all eternity.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.