Tate, Russell Frederick

TATE, CONRAD, HALVERSON, WILSON, KING

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 3/15/2010 at 17:02:36

The Clinton Herald
March 2, 2010
Russell Frederick Tate
CNHI

Bryan, Texas — Russell Frederick Tate, formerly of Clinton, IA, died in Bryan, TX, on February 24, 2010. He was born May 11, 1925, to Benjamin and Barbara (Conrad) Tate in Corydon, IN. During his childhood Russ moved from town to town and school to school as his father looked for work. This made it difficult for him to establish any close friendships. That is until he met Delores Herkelman. Russ graduated from Menlo, IA, High School in 1943. After graduation, Russ joined the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific theater, eventually earning the rank of staff sergeant. A few months after his discharge, Russ returned to Iowa to wed his high school sweetheart, Delores, on May 19, 1946. Soon after their marriage Russ and Delores moved to Clinton, IA, where Russ worked at DuPont for 30 years, retiring in 1978.

Russell, along with his wife, loved to travel. On one of their journeys they discovered a peaceful little resort in the Gunnison River valley of Colorado, where Russ persuaded the owner to allow him to park their trailer for the summer. Russ and Delores spent 33 idyllic summers in their trailer watching clouds gather over the mountain peaks surrounding the Gunnison valley. After their retirement, other travels lead Russ and Delores to the Texas Hill Country where the attractions of warm, dry winters and inexpensive living resulted in their moving to Kingsland, which became their residence for almost 28 years.

Russell did not pursue formal education beyond high school but his curiosity was not stifled by a lack of higher education. He enjoyed reading poetry, World War II history and historical novels about the American West. Unlike many of his generation, he embraced technology, teaching himself how to use a computer and he frequently searched the Internet while he researched his family genealogy.

As a child Russ felt the sting of grinding poverty. His father was an itinerant laborer during the Depression, and his mother had poor health. There were times of frequent hunger, homelessness, and even sibling death. Through these experiences, Russ learned the value of honesty, loyalty and hard work. He could be stern and uncompromising when he felt that others were not exhibiting these same values, but beneath this severity was a man with self-deprecating humor who wrote whimsical limericks, and whose eyes would glisten with moisture when some event touched his heart.

In 70 years, only a world war could separate Russ from his beloved Delores. In his last days, there were times when Russ would notice Delores struggling in an adjacent chair as she attempted to stand. Bedridden and enfeebled by illness, he would nevertheless extend his hand and pull Delores to her feet. This exemplified a devotion that only death could defeat.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, three infant sisters and one grandson. He is survived by his wife of 63 years; four children, Jacque Halverson of College Station, TX; Sue Ellen (Mike) Wilson of Gunnison, CO; James (Karen) Tate of Clinton, IA, and Kyle (Kevin) King of Camanche, IA; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are tentatively scheduled for late Spring 2010 in Dexter, IA. Condolences can be sent to Delores Tate at 1213 N. Ridgefield, College Station, TX 77840.

Death date: Feb. 24, 2010