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Russ Worthington

The genealogy community was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Russ Worthington on May 11. An affable, generous man known to many as “Cousin Russ” from his collaborations with his cousin, “Dear Myrtle” blogger Pat Richley-Erickson, Russ was widely beloved and renowned for his expertise with the Family Tree Maker software. He was well known to the members of the CGS Family Tree Maker special interest group, at which he was a regular presence via Zoom. He was scheduled to be the speaker at the June 2022 meeting and will be sadly missed.

“He has been a good friend to CGS and to the Family Tree Maker SIG,” said Ron Madson, who co-facilitates the FTM-SIG with Karen Halfon. “From a genealogical point of view I consider him almost a Bodhisattva. He was always selflessly helping others.” Russ’s generous nature was widely noted as friends mourned his passing last week. “When I think of Russ I think of kindness, helpfulness, humility, caring, and inspiration,” wrote Geoff Rasmussen at the Legacy Family Tree Webinars blog. “Whether he was co-hosting “Mondays with Myrt,” teaching classes at a genealogy conference, or speaking to our webinar audience, he couldn’t help but find innovative ways to teach others. To help others. To care for others.”

The sentiments were echoed again and again as friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to Russ. “He was the one of the kindest and most giving people I’ve ever known. He helped 1000s of genealogists over the years, in big ways and small,” wrote Blaine Bettinger on Facebook. “I am absolutely heartbroken,” wrote Judy G. Russell on Twitter. “What a loss to [his family], to his friends, to the entire genealogical community.” Thomas MacEntee called Russ “a kind, giving friend to all in the genealogy world.”

H. Russell Worthington III was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Louise Worthington. He briefly attended the College of New Jersey and worked for several years as a radioman for the U.S. Coast Guard before taking up a thirty-year career as a technician, supervisor, and manager at AT&T. Some years ago, his youngest daughter gave him a copy of the Family Tree Maker program because “she thought I needed something to do,” as he would often say. He soon began “collecting cousins” and embarked upon his next chapter as a genealogist. Always unpretentious in spite of his knowledge and expertise, Russ gave generously of his time, whether teaching, creating short informative YouTube videos, sharing information on one of his several blogs, or manning the MacKiev booth at numerous conferences. He helped countless genealogists expand their skills and many considered him a friend. May his memory be a blessing.