Obituary of Russell John Riemenschneider

Russell John Riemenschneider (Russ), 90, passed away peacefully at St. Peter's Hospital on May 4, 2017. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 28, 1926, he was the loving son of the late John Russell and Gertrude Riemenschneider. After growing up in Pittsburgh and graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, which in several months became the Air Force. Russ served his country proudly in WWII, actively serving from '43-'45. In 1959 he came to Schenectady to become an apprentice with G.E. He decided a different path and became employed with Schenectady Ambulance Company, 428 Hullet St./Duane Ave. Russ oversaw the daily and evening dispatching of service calls, helping with emergency transfers to hospitals and other institutions. Russ was married on January 25, 1975 to Judith Civitello. Following retirement, Russ's outgoing personality led himself to becoming a sought after greeter at Walmart in Guilderland. He was a model train enthusiast, Russ went to countless shows and expos on model trains over the years. He passionately rooted for his hometown Steelers and Pirates through thick and thin! Russ was predeceased by by his sisters, Shirley Zelik and Rose Sekera. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Judy Riemenschneider; sons, David (Karen) Riemenschneider, Joseph (Susan) Kochan and James (Susie) Kochan; a daughter, Lori Clark (John Julian); a sister, Lois Jamison; grandchildren, Jonathan (Ashley), James Clark, Zachary Joseph, Grace Catherine and Joseph James Kochan; four great-grandchildren, Landon Riemenschneider, Joseph, Gavin and Desmond Clark. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday (May 10) at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's R.C. Church, State St., with Rev. Dominic Isopo, officiating. Private interment will be conducted with full military honors at Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery.