The campus community mourns the passing of Jeremy Russell, 42, who died Saturday, Nov. 25. Jeremy worked as a University quantitative support specialist in the Teaching & Learning Center since March 2023.
Jeremy’s colleagues have shared that he was a highly experienced teacher and thoughtful pedagogue who was deeply committed to students and focused on access and equity. During his brief time at Bucknell, he built great resources and took the initial steps of establishing strong programs. Every student, faculty and staff member who collaborated with Jeremy saw and felt the impact of his work.
I encourage you to visit our In Memoriam site to share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Jeremy’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
Jeremy John Russell, age 42, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jeremy was born in Woodbury and grew up in the “South Jersey” area, something that he told his nurses with pride. He attended elementary school in Woodbury, Kingsway Regional High School, and was the salutatorian of his graduating class. Jeremy went on to study mathematics at The College of New Jersey. He then earned his master’s degree and Doctorate from Northeastern University. He did extensive research in the field of mathematics, including studying in Germany and England.
After completing his doctoral and post-doctoral studies, Jeremy taught at Kingsway Regional High School, Camden County Community College, The College of New Jersey, Rowan University, and Phillips Exeter Academy, and was supporting students and professors at Bucknell University at the time of his death. He had a great passion for education and for helping his students so that they understood and learned. He extended his caring for students by being involved in their extracurricular sport teams.
Jeremy loved many sports, with football being his passion. As a teenager he was a Washington Redskins fan, and it is with serious suspicion that he was also a true Eagles fan at heart. Jeremy had an equal passion for music. He was an excellent, self-taught guitarist. He loved music of all genres from heavy metal to Christmas Carols. More than this, Jeremy loved being with family and friends. He brought his loving heart, willingness to help where he saw a need, and his extraordinary sense of humor to everything and everyone.
Jeremy is survived by his mother, Julia Rastelli, his father, John Russell, (Shirley), sisters Julianne Russell (Dan) and Charlene Yelegen (Goksel), his brothers, Jackie Russell, (Angela), Jason Russell (Barbara), Jesse Russell (Crystal).
Jeremy is predeceased by his brother Marc Russell (Christina), and his uncle John Rastelli, (Mary).
Jeremy is also survived by his loving Aunt Janice and Uncle Bob Minor, and cousins, Tom Yourison, Kevin and Lindsey Yourison, Patrick and Leigh Rastelli, and his nephews Dominik, Cristian, Jakob, Carson, and Rojan, and his niece, Sofia.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at Church of the Incarnation, 240 Main St. Mantua Township NJ 08051, on Friday, Dec. 1, at 11 am. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jeremy’s name to The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Even before his passing, I would tell people that Jeremy was the best teacher I’d ever had. No one can explain something, help someone truly understand something, better than he can. He has given me some of the most helpful academic advice I have ever received in my life.
I thought about sending Jeremy an email when I heard he was on indefinite leave, to wish him well and thank him for everything. I didn’t. I will always regret that.
I will remember Jeremy fondly. He was a truly incredible teacher and I will always be grateful to him.
I sat next to Jeremy during a one-day foundation seminar writing workshop in May of this year. It was our first encounter. I really enjoyed his company right from the start. Through our conversations I learned that Jeremy was a very kind and compassionate person. I also learned that he was very passionate about teaching, and I predicted (correctly) that students at Bucknell would come to appreciate deeply his desire and his ability to help them learn all things quantitative.
Since he lived in a house right behind mine in the borough, we would meet from time to time and exchange greetings. I always enjoyed those exchanges. His death is a huge loss for Bucknell and the world. I will remember you Jeremy.