John R Lasswell
Kathy, Mrs. Weisen, and Russ's family,
Please accept my sincere condolences for Russ's recent passing. Something about a Facebook posting by Cheryl Kienert Roberts made me decide to do a Google search where I found this sad news.
C & R Repair provided a vital service (particularly) to the farming community of central Wisconsin of my youth. I met Russ for the first time when doing some work for my dad. I made an engineering drawing of a component where there was some unknown information and took it down to the shop to get some information on what it would cost to make a replacement. I knew that Russ had the missing information and obtaining it was part of the mission. On reviewing my effort, Russ promptly informed me of the error in my ways and some other things...which was vexing! He eventually saw the frustration in my eyes and changed his tone to one of a teacher. His comments were not unkind, but a learning moment for a budding mechanical engineer. I've thought about that afternoon often throughout the course of my career and remembered it as a lesson of the knowledge and skill inherent in a craftsman.
Russ clearly was an asset to the community in so many ways. I am equally sure he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (and other relation-names as well). I hope that memory will be a comfort to you going forward.
Kind Regards,
John R. Lasswell
