Final Ports of Call
But Russ fought hard…
…with Jan Schroeder by his side and coaxing him with laughter and positive outlook, through more than 12 abdominal and back surgeries and too-numerous-to-count visits for transfusions and 3 six-month series of chemo and radiation. Jan initiated a journal and guestbook with www.caringbridge.org, so family and friends could stay abreast of developments, and continue to give their support, prayers and love. Thanks to this constant feedback – including tears and laughs – and to his marvelous sense of humor, Russ maintained optimistic : joking about his scars from multiple surgeries. He even created Christmas card art : “My fight with BlackBeard – and he lost!”
Although the targeted departure date was end-September, 2009, Rhumbline still awaited her departure through the river channels of the nearby Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio and Ten-Tom canal to the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the best efforts of doctors, prayer chains around the USA, and a never-give-up attitute, metastasis to the spine finally caught up with him. Just weeks before his death, Russ married his fiancée and devoted caregiver, Jan, in a tear-filled ceremony with family and close friends in the Chapel at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Both the local Omaha WOW-TV news and Omaha Herald newspaper featured the story because, while ‘Noah’ celebrated with his favorite Captain Morgan & Coke, he still hoped for a miracle.
Despite the personal care of the doctors and staff at University of Nebraska Oncology Department in Omaha, and stays at two rehabilitation centers, Russ announced that he would like to ‘come home to Colorado.’ For his final journey back to his beloved Colorado, Russ and Jan boarded a Flight for Life plane to join Russ’ 90-year mother and more family and friends in the family home in Estes Park, Colorado, with views of his beloved Rocky Mountains. Thanks to the paramedics who moved Russ from the ambulance on the way to Omaha’s Eppley Airport, he was able to see ‘Rhumbline’ one last time.
After all his years of hunting, or sharing weeks with wildlife, one lone, injured deer took refuge under the balcony of Russ’ room. He was there every night, leaving by 9 AM each day. On October 12, gathered around Russ’ bed for our final good-bye at 2 PM, the deer limped off below the window. Obviously, the next day, he wasn’t there. But on October 14, his Dad’s birthday, there were two deer under the balcony – as though the father was still watching over his son.
Russ’ memories were captured in the YMCA Chapel, where the final service was held on October 15, 2009.
A metal sculpture honoring Russ’ love for Colorado, hunting and sailing is hanging in the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland Colorado
Artist: Shawn Cline Schultz
‘Sing to the mountains, Sing to the Sea, Raise your voices, Lift your hearts, This is the day the Lord has made! Let all the earth rejoice!’
Although her Captain was gone, The Rhumbline was launched in the Missouri River end-September, 2010, where she began the journey Russ had planned down the river channels to the Gulf, and then around the Florida coast to Ft. Lauderdale.
Today, Rhumbline is on the East Coast of Florida basking under sunny days in the admiration of her new owner and enjoying a happy, active family on board.
