The reptile community has been losing many of its pioneering members recently. We lost a giant when, only a few days short of the age of 92, Dr. Findlay Ewing Russell passed away:

Dr. Russell leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in science, particularly in the fields of toxicology and toxinology. If he could, he would continue to explore and expand the knowledge and work in this field which began in the 1950s at Caltech and continued at USC where he served as the Director of the Laboratory of Neurological Research in Los Angeles.

Findlay received his medical degree from Loma Linda University in 1952 and worked as a physician and neurosurgeon until war wounds restricted his dexterity. He had served as an army medic in World War II in the Okinawa Campaign where he received a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

Findlay was the first president and founding member of the International Society of Toxinology (Toxicon) and continued throughout his life to support the study of toxins and venomous animals. He is recognized as one of the pioneering scientists to progress polyvalent crotalid antivenom for the use of snakebite envenomation.

Findlay served as a professor of neurology, physiology and biology at USC for over 30 years. He was the author of numerous scientific articles, books and holds several patents in the field of medicine. Several species of arachnids are named after him.

In addition to his medical degree, he held a PhD in English and was awarded an honorary degree in law from the University of Santa Barbara. Dr. Russell was a Fulbright scholar and was a visiting professor to numerous colleges and universities throughout the world, including Cambridge (England), Stefan Institute (Yugoslavia), University of Argentina (Buenos Aires) and the University of Cairo (Egypt).

In 1974 Findlay was awarded the Skylab Achievement award for his work with NASA. In addition, Fin consulted for the World Health Organization, Doctors Without Borders and National Science foundation. Findlay received numerous awards and distinguished acknowledgments from his peers, most recently he was awarded the Loma Linda University Alumnus of the Year (2011) in California and the Findlay E. Russell Distinguished Citizen Award from the College of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona. For the last 15 years he worked at the School of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona where he leaves many colleagues and friends.

Condolences can be sent to the Russell family, 25611 N. Moon Blossom Ln., Phoenix, AZ 85083. Remembrances can be made in his name to the Portal Fire and Rescue Station, Box 16331, Portal, Arizona, 85632.