grave import

Obituary

ORONO – Russell Albert Altenberger, 81, died Oct. 24, 2006, in Orono. He was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Engelwood, N.J., the son of Milton C. Altenberger and Hattie (Southall) Altenberger. After graduating from Englewood High School, Russell enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Seabees in the South Pacific during World War II, from August 1943 to March 10, 1946. He earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University and received a master’s degree and worked towards a doctorate in statistics from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. He married Margaret Jane Armstrong of Des Moines, Iowa in 1961. His career goals were challenged by a chronic condition of narcolepsy. Nevertheless, Russell was considered a pioneer in computer science and taught mathematics and statistics at Iowa State University and the University of Maine, where he established the computing center in 1961. Russell had a sharp but subtle sense of humor and delighted his friends and co-workers in conversation. He was an avid reader of history books and a talented scrabble player. He was an antiquarian, dealing in old and rare books from his home. He enjoyed dinner parties and numerous elderhostels with his wife. Helped by his wife, Russell cared for his parents in their declining days, dividing time between Orono and his parents’ home in Tenafly, N.J. He was predeceased by his parents; and in 1993, by his only sibling, Edmund C. Altenberger. Russell will be sadly missed by his wife, his sister-in-law, Frances Ray of Galesburg, Ill.; special friends, Bill and Beverly Toole of Orono; and all others who knew him. The loving care provided by all the dedicated staff at Dirigo Pines, especially the nursing services of Russell’s special friend, Jackie Dolley, has been most appreciated. Friends are invited to a memorial service 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Dirigo Pines, Orono, led by the Rev. Richard Reynolds. A service of Brookings-Smith.