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Patrick Russell was born in Nebraska and grew up in Oklahoma, where
his father Don still lives. His father is retired from the United
States Air Force and from the Oklahoma State Employment Agency. His
mother Velma was a homemaker.
After receiving a B.A. in physics and astronomy from Boston
University and a Ph.D. in particle physics from Princeton
University, Patrick applied medical imaging techniques to the study
of human brain function at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and
the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, CA. In September 2000, he
had the opportunity to spend three weeks in China (including a week
in Tibet), giving lectures in Beijing and Hong Kong on topics
including neuroscience and the relationship of science and
theology. In 2002 he received a Master of Divinity degree from
Pacific Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley and served three years as
Associate Pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette
Hill, PA. Building on both his scientific experience and
theological training, Patrick presented workshops and courses on
science and religion to seminary, university, and congregational
audiences around the country, including M.I.T., the University of
Pennsylvania, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia. At the time of his death, Patrick was an Advisory
Group member of the AIA Interfaith Forum on Religious Art and
Architecture (AIA/IFRAA), and served as Chairman of the Alliance
for Faith, Science, and Technology of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of America.
As a vocalist interested in sacred, operatic, and folk repertoire,
Patrick appeared in operas from Carnegie Hall to Tijuana, Mexico
and had the pleasure of singing with Mostly Motets, Princeton
Pro-Musica and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, singing
African-American spirituals live on Chinese television, and
chanting Evensong in British cathedrals, among other experiences of
pure, unexpected grace.
In June 1996, Patrick met Kathleen Cleveland on a dive boat in the
Turks and Caicos Islands. After ten years of friendship, diving,
laughter, and “adventure travels”, two of which were
spent in a cross-country courtship, Patrick and Kathleen wed on
December 30, 2006. They made their home in Westlake Village, CA
where Patrick was anticipating a call to King of Glory Lutheran
Church nearby.
Patrick was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in mid
December. Surrounded by friends and family, he passed away
peacefully at his home on January 26. Patrick was preceded in death
by his mother, Velma and leaves behind his wife Kathleen, father
Don, extended family and countless friends.
The Elbert M. Conover Memorial Award
was established in 1953 by the Church Architecture Guild of
America. This award was given to a nonarchitects in recognition of
their contributions to religious architecture in order to:
• Perpetuate in the hearts and minds of those interested in
religious architecture memories of our deceased leader
• Encourage leaders, outside the architecture profession, to
crusade for better religious architecture
• Recognize outstanding individuals who merit citation for
their excellence in fostering spiritual values
All nominees are held to the same criteria. They must:
• Be a nonarchitect
• Demonstrate a passion for and dedication to quality worship
and sacred spaces
• Foster spiritual values
• Promote a cross-denominational community focused on
religious arts and architecture
Patrick was awarded the Conover in the fall of 2007. His wife
Kathleen accepted the award on Patrick’s behalf at the 2007
conference, "Spiritual Space and the Spirit of Place," in Portland,
Oregon hosted by the AIA Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and
Architecture.
Rev. Dr. D. Patrick Russell, III
April 16, 1963 - January 26, 2007
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