Colonel Russell Henry Bartlett(USAF ret.) 75, died on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at home with his loving wife and family.

Russ was born December 2, 1936, in Bellows Falls, VT, the son of Henry and Pauline (Fiorey) Bartlett.

Russ enlisted in the Air Force in Feb 1957 and made a career in the military, retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1984 after 27 years of active duty. His service included stints as a pilot, squadron commander, base commander, and eventually vice-wing commander. Russ earned numerous military honors including a Bronze Star for combat missions in Vietnam. He graduated from Air War College and received a B. A. from Troy State University in 1976.

After retirement Russ was the General Manager for a computer manufacturing company in El Paso, TX for two years. He then returned home to New Hampshire in 1986 and was hired by Management Services as one of the logistics planners for the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital move to the new hospital in Lebanon. In addition, he worked for Food & Nutrition Services and Computer Services until he retired in 1994.

Russ was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the beauty of New England. He was also a voracious reader with a particular interest in biographies, politics, and Civil War history.

Survivors include his wife Mary Hartnett Abbott of Hanover, NH; his daughter, Elizabeth Bartlett of Cary, NC; his son Russell Jr. and his wife Karen of Navarre, FL their four children and spouses Kent and Michela of Milton, FL, Braden and Aubrey of Tooele, UT, Christina of Navarre, FL and Shara and Ty Hamatake of Travis AFB, CA; six great grandchildren, Micol, Federico, and Sebasian Bartlett of Milton, FL, Hayden and Autumn Bartlett of Tooele, UT, and Audrey Hamatake of Travis AFB, CA; his stepson Thomas John Abbott and his wife Lisa and their four children, Stormy, Tiffany, Carley and Thomas John, of Wasilla, Alaska; his step daughter Kristen Abbott Shedd and her husband Karl, and their two children, Madeline and Isabelle, of Gypsum, CO; a sister Jane Bartlett Chipman and her husband Bruce Chipman of Grantham, NH; his brother Frank Bartlett and his wife Mary Pat of Mountain Home, Idaho; and former wife Jane Ufford Bartlett of Wake Forest, NC. In addition, there are several nieces, a nephew and cousins.

Memorial donations can be made to: The Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, 66 Benning St. Suite 6, West Lebanon, NH.

A celebration of life will be held in Russ' honor in late September.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.