Russell P. Main

April 23, 1977 - November 14, 2023

service

Our Savior Lutheran Church

300 Fowler Ave

West Lafayette, IN 47906

Saturday 12/2, 2:00 pm

Russell P. Main, 46, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at his residence in West Lafayette. He was surrounded by his family and an abundance of love. Russ was born in Fullerton, CA on April 23, 1977 to Alma Kathleen Say and the late Floyd Beachley Main. Russ received his B.A. in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, where he also met his wife, Joyce. With the exception of his semester spent abroad in Glasgow, Scotland, Russ and Joyce, best friends, were essentially inseparable. Russ later earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University with a thesis focusing on comparative skeletal mechanics, bone histomorphology, and growth among major tetrapod groups. After a postdoc at Cornell University, Russ served as a faculty member at Purdue University in the Basic Medical Sciences Department of the College of Veterinary Medicine, with a courtesy appointment in Biomedical Engineering. Russ deeply valued conducting scientific research with his many colleagues here and abroad, and was a dedicated teacher and mentor to his students.

Russ’s most cherished role was and always will be as a devoted and loving father to his two children, Sophie and Bruce. He showed his love for his children every day in little ways and in big gestures. This included going to their soccer games, attending their instrument lessons, and helping them with school projects, as well as grilling delicious dinners and building an ice rink and treehouse in the backyard. An adventurer at heart, he and his family went on many fun vacations and outings to National Parks, art and science museums, and sporting events. A fan of Pearl Jam, Angels baseball, Rams football, and Kings ice hockey, he shared these pastimes with his friends and family. While Russ continued to enjoy playing recreational soccer and ice hockey into his 40s, perhaps his most favorite adventures involved backpacking, canoeing, and swimming way too far out in the ocean.

Russ will be remembered for his loving and kind heart, his ready smile, his strong spirit, and his commitment to always doing his best. Russ is very much loved and will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and his two children, Sophie and Bruce, as well as by his mother Kathy, sister Liz and siblings, Chip, Beachley, and Karen.

The Celebration of Life service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church (300 W. Fowler Ave. West Lafayette, IN 47906) on Saturday, December 2, at 2:00pm. Pastor Randy Schroeder will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Purdue Arboretum for a tree planting in honor of Russ: https://connect.purdue.edu/InMemoryOfDrRussellMain

For memorial contributions toward his children’s college education, email rpmcelebration@gmail.com.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

Xiaoyu Xu

Catherine Zhang

JinRong Xu

Jason Yamamoto

Dr Colleen Bailey

Yang Family

Carol Brock

Matt Caretto

Miyeon Park & Sejoon Lee

Elliot Westrich

Bill Williams

Our Savior Lutheran Church

300 Fowler Ave

West Lafayette, IN 47906

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Saturday 12/2, 2:00 pm

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In memory of Russell P. Main, Xiaoyu Xu lit a candle

Russ, you will be missed so much!

Russ was a wonderful person, a true and steady light during the time I knew him at Cal. My heart goes out to Joyce and their children; I cannot fathom the loss. I hope the love he gave you will sustain you.

I'm deeply saddened for the loss of our friend Russ. He was always a friendly face, eager to chat no matter the venue. I will miss our chance encounters on campus, at the grocery store, or at the ice rink. He was the type of person whose genuine warmth helps define one's sense of community. Knowing just how warm and welcoming he was to me, a passing colleague and fellow hockey enthusiast, I can only imagine the depth of his affection for his family. My heart goes out to the family. I hope some comfort can come from the stories shared here of his warmth and compassion that live on in our memories.

Rest in Peace, Russell

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Miss you.

I am so sorry for your family's loss. Dr. Main was one of the nicest professors that I remember from my time in vet school. My thoughts are with you.

Rest in peace Dr Main. Thank you for all the help and support and life advice that kept many of us going in our path to veterinary medicine

Dr. Main was my teacher probably over 5-6+ years ago when I was in vet school but when I think of him I only remember positive things. That’s because there was nothing negative about him. He was always so personable and approachable. It impressed me that he knew all of our names and was always so understanding. I feel thankful to have had a kind, engaged, and genuine professor like him. No offense to PUCVM, there aren’t a lot like Dr. Main there. I feel grateful I got to learn from him and sad for future generations of vets that won’t get to. I am thinking of his entire family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace! Dr. Main was one of the best!!!

In memory of Russell P. Main, Yang Family lit a candle

Russ was a cherished friend and colleague. He will be greatly missed. I learned so much from him and loved the way he went about his life and his science. My family and I are thinking of you Joyce, Sophie and Bruce.

In memory of Russell P. Main, Carol Brock lit a candle

In memory of Russell P. Main, Matt Caretto lit a candle

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Russ. I am sure Joyce and the family are absolutely devastated. He was such a sweet guy and fun to hang out with. I loved when he'd put his kilt on and run around the fraternity. I know he always loved Joyce so much. We were all so disappointed when he moved out of the house to move in with Joyce but obviously that was the best decision he probably ever made in his life! I am so sorry for your loss. Joyce and the kids are very much in my thoughts.

I’m so sorry to hear of this devastating loss. Russ and I were great friends in college and we had many similar interests. He was my little bro and a loyal, kind, and compassionate man. I still have the “paddle” he made me in the shape of a football because of our love of Tecmo Bowl. We lost touch over the years, but I often think back about our time together with fond memories. A great guy. A great friend. I will miss you.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Words can't describe how sorry I am for your loss. My prayers to you!

Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

So sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts are with Joyce, children, and the extended family.

So sad to hear about this great loss. My prayers and thoughts go to family and friends.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Joyce- I am so sorry for your loss. I am holding your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Joyce, I am so sad for your loss. Praying for you and your family.

Dear Joyce, I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Dr. Main gave me my first opportunity in animal research, for which I am forever grateful. He was a kind man and a great teacher.

Dear Joyce and the extended Main family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Milo Koretsky

I'm so sad for you and your family, Joyce. I'll be thinking of you all.

I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking and praying for you

My deepest condolences to all of you during this time of loss. My prayers go with the entire family during this time. You all are in my heart.

My condolences to Dr Main's family

I am so sorry for your loss, Joyce, Sophie and Bruce. You will all be in our hearts in the coming days and months!

My deepest condolences to the whole family. May my condolences bring you comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of this loss.

In memory of Russell P. Main, Roland Molontay lit a candle

My deepest condolences to the family. He left too early but his memory and legacy will not be forgotten.

Although I met him late, he was the turning point of my academic life. While working with him, he became not only a colleague but also a mentor, a brother and a family member to me. I'm one of the lucky people who knew him. I know he will rest in peace. And the world, the world is thankful to had someone like you, Dr. Main.

In memory of Russell P. Main, Marcell Nagy lit a candle

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.