A devoted father dies unexpectedly after a hiking trip. His family knew something was wrong when he didn’t return home.
His sister, Theresa, is heartbroken. Russ went camping on January 24th and was supposed to return on Monday, but he never made it back home.
Russ was a tattoo artist. He suffered a pulmonary embolism at a gas station in Ambleside and collapsed suddenly. Strangers tried to help, performing CPR on Russ, but sadly, he died there.
His family started a GoFundMe page to help his three kids. They raised over £3,000 for Curtis, Grace, and Amelia, who are 21, 13, and nine years old.
Theresa said Russ didn’t have life insurance. The money will buy the kids something special, a memory of their dad. They are getting jewelry with his fingerprints.
Russ was returning to Leicestershire. He stopped for fuel in Ambleside. After paying, he went to his van, fell, and collapsed; people then tried CPR. Emergency services arrived quickly too, but they couldn’t revive Russ.
Theresa is grateful for the helpers and knows he wasn’t alone. Russ hiked to Windermere with no issues and dropped off his daughters on Friday; he was due back Monday morning but didn’t show up to work.
Contractors were waiting for him, as Russ booked them to work on his shop. His cousin and partner searched for him and reported him missing.
The family learned of his death quickly; his ex-partner called with the news, and police shared the details later. Russ’s mother found out first and called Theresa, sobbing, saying, “He’s gone.” The mother is arranging his funeral, finding it difficult to lose Russ.
It is especially hard after their father’s death, and his mother is shocked. Russ was young and active, and they didn’t expect it.
He walked 10,000 steps daily. Russ sent pictures to his mum, wanting to stay active; no one suspected a problem.
Theresa said Russ was a character. He had a wild sense of humor and loved the thrill of adventure, enjoying camping in the Peaks.
His tattoos showed his personality. He owned By Design tattoo business in Leicester and had started other businesses before.
Apprentices did his tattoos, and he let them practice on him. Hiking and camping were his passions, passions he enjoyed since he was young.
It was his escape into nature. He always told people his plans, sharing where he was going and when he would return.
Theresa called the past weeks a whirlwind. Many people loved Russ and shared their shock and sadness, telling stories about him. He helped others without hesitation. They were shocked and saddened by his death.