George Russell "Russ" Ackermann, 67, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at his home in Stuart, FL with support by Treasure Coast Hospice, Crisis Care Unit. He resided in Stuart for the past 13 years, moving from Idaho Falls, ID in April 1996. He was born May 30, 1942 in Wheeling, WV, the eldest son of George Andrew and Josephine Mary (Miller) Ackermann (both deceased).

He attended parochial schools in Wheeling, graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1960. He received a B.S. in physics in 1964 from Wheeling College (nka Wheeling Jesuit University) in West Virginia and earned his M.S. in physics in 1972 from Akron University in Ohio. During his education years, he was active in music, tennis, basketball and football, earning a letter in tennis at Wheeling College.

Russ served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War era, enlisting Nov. 8, 1965. He attended basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, educated at various "A" schools (including a position as trumpeter with the U.S. Navy Band at Memphis, TN) and then transferred to Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4) at Barbers' Point, HI as an Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator (AW3). He participated in two deployments to Iwakuni, Japan with adjunct service in Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 3, 1969 at Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California and was decorated with the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star.

After his discharge in 1969, he returned to Wheeling with a new wife and three stepchildren. He was primarily employed as a tire engineer with General Tire in Akron, OH; followed by a career as a software designer in Enka, NC; a mathematician with NOAA in Idaho Falls, ID; and a mathematician/computer specialist for Perot Industries (headquartered in Plano, TX).

He was an accomplished musician, a Ham Radio Operator (with the certification of "Extra") and participated as emergency coordinator for the Martin County ARES/RACES group. Russ was dedicated to "giving back." This was evidenced by his adjunct professorship at Indian River State College (IRSC). Because of his love of airplanes and dreams of someday becoming a pilot, he undertook private pilots' training and accomplished the difficult task of passing his "solo" flight. He was a member of the Miles Grant Country Club and the Stuart-Jensen Beach Elks Lodge #1870 of Stuart. In his retirement years, he was first trumpet of the Stuart Community Band, an avid golfer and loved playing tennis.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Arlene L. (Brown) Ackermann of Stuart; three stepchildren, Mrs. David P. Godin (Karen A. Buchholz) of Glastonbury, CT, Robert E. Buchholz (Nancy) of Omaha, NE and Ms. Trudy E. Buchholz of Stuart; two brothers, David E. Ackermann of Wheeling and Michael J. Ackermann Sr. (Bonnie) of Bellaire, OH; several nieces and nephews; eight step-grandchildren; and two step-greatgrandsons.

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Martin Funeral & Crematory in Stuart. A funeral service will be at a later date in January in the chapel of Mary and Joseph at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, with private family burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling to follow.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, Crisis Care Unit, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Martin Funeral Home & Crematory and Altmeyer Funeral Home & Crematory in Wheeling.