A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Jeff Russell grew up in Sheboygan and now resides near Madison, WI. He flies a SuperCub and Cirrus out of the Morey airport in Middleton.
Young Jeff was exposed to general aviation while flying with is dad in their Cherokee 235. It wasn’t until 1998 that circumstances allowed Jeff to take flight lessons and become a pilot himself.
After a long career in manufacturing, Jeff now spends his time volunteering for the RAF and flying his SuperCub around the lower 48, Canada, and Alaska on either Bushwheels, floats, or skis. His favorite destinations include northern Wisconsin, Idaho and Montana backcountry, and Alaska.
When not aviating, Jeff enjoys fly fishing, sailboat racing, and bicycling. His girlfriend of 34 years, Rhonda, enjoys their flights into the backcountry and is presently a student pilot.
608-347-2441
jrussell@theraf.org
JEFF RUSSELL
Director
A series of airplanes have served the McKenna family pleasure trips as well as John’s New York Life Insurance practice that has spanned 37 years. John’s wife Trish also flies and enjoys her Cub. They have three children who consider the airplane the family station wagon-it’s just “how you get there.”
The McKenna’s have enjoyed living in Bozeman since 1972, where a person can own their own airstrip in Big Sky Country and truly live the aviation dream. John and Trish characterize the backcountry pilot-they will pass on the fancy lunch, pressed slacks and shined shoes at the country club for the backcountry with tent, sleeping bags, well-worn hiking boots and a few groceries… and the dog.
John’s family also characterizes the spirit of volunteerism. In addition to serving long hours for no monetary reward as chairman of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, John and his family are passionate supporters of Special Olympics. His involvement with that organization provided relevant background for the formation of the RAF. It was this match of this passion for aviation-and his inability to wait for someone else to do it-that provided the momentum to form the RAF.
With a full tank of energy John looks forward to seeing where this flight will take him.
“It is the best journey I’ve experienced so far,” John says.
A series of airplanes have served the McKenna family pleasure trips as well as John’s New York Life Insurance practice that has spanned 37 years. John’s wife Trish also flies and enjoys her Cub. They have three children who consider the airplane the family station wagon-it’s just “how you get there.”
The McKenna’s have enjoyed living in Bozeman since 1972, where a person can own their own airstrip in Big Sky Country and truly live the aviation dream. John and Trish characterize the backcountry pilot-they will pass on the fancy lunch, pressed slacks and shined shoes at the country club for the backcountry with tent, sleeping bags, well-worn hiking boots and a few groceries… and the dog.
John’s family also characterizes the spirit of volunteerism. In addition to serving long hours for no monetary reward as chairman of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, John and his family are passionate supporters of Special Olympics. His involvement with that organization provided relevant background for the formation of the RAF. It was this match of this passion for aviation-and his inability to wait for someone else to do it-that provided the momentum to form the RAF.
With a full tank of energy John looks forward to seeing where this flight will take him.
“It is the best journey I’ve experienced so far,” John says.
