Russell Everett Hayes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and professor of electrical engineering, passed away on February 9, 2025, at the age of 89.
Russell was born on November 14, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas, where he attended East High School and met his first wife, Barbara. Russell and Barbara had four children, Kim, Kelly, Gregory, and Mark.
Russell graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Kansas in Lawrence.
He then attended Stanford University, where he completed a PhD in 1963. Russell had a long career as professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. He had an unwavering commitment to high-quality research and to his students.
During his career he completed fellowships and sabbaticals at Cornell University and at the Royal Radar Establishment in Malvern, England.
When asked by lay people to explain his research, Russell would say that he worked on "the physics end of electrical engineering."
His research specialized on the physics of semiconductor devices with a special interest in microwave, optical, and solar energy applications, which in turn contributed to the foundations of the digital age and green energy. During his career he published over forty research papers, served on many academic committees, and was a beloved and respected advisor to numerous masters and doctoral students.
Russell loved the Colorado mountains and after moving to Boulder in 1963 began hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountaineering.
He joined the Colorado Mountain Club and later served as an instructor in CMC's Mountaineering School, chaired the conservation and safety committees, and was enthusiastically elected president. Russell also served for several years on the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisor y Committee.
In 1983, Russell married Ann Goodman.
The couple shared many hiking, skiing, and mountaineering adventures in the Colorado mountains and beyond. Together they enjoyed classical music, tending horses, travel abroad, and being together for 42 years.
Russell was a gifted woodworker, mechanic and a tinkerer who could fix almost anything. He was fun, generous, and genuine to the core.
Russell is survived by his loving wife, Ann, and his children: Kim (Joel) of MN, Kelly (John) of OR, Gregory of VT, and Mark (Lea') of CA. His grandchildren are Chris of CO, Becca (Josh) of MN, Zachary (Brooke) of VA, Katie (Logan) of OR, and Chantel (Josh) of UT, as well as 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Ann's children: Andy (Rebecca) and Tom (Carla) of CA. His grandchildren on Ann's side are Ella, Asher, Alex, Liam, and Claire of CA.
A celebration of Russell's life is being planned for the spring or summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Colorado Mountain Club or Engineers Without Borders - USA.