F. Russell Lockner

Russell Lockner (known by his friends as Rusty), 73 of Missoula formally of Santa Rosa California passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at his home in Missoula.

He was born on December 13, 1940 in Pomona California to Gus and Mary Lockner.
He was raised in Southern California and graduated from Claremont High School in 1958. He attended college at the University of Redlands where he received his Undergraduate degree in 1963. He received his Masters in 1965 from California State University Los Angeles, and his Doctorate of Biology from the University of Montana in 1968. After graduating he did one year of post-doctoral research at the University of Minnesota. He then became a professor of Human Anatomy at Sonoma State University. During his tenure he also traveled to Palmer Station in Antarctica for several months in the 1970's to study penguins. After leaving academia, he became a partner of Commercial Investment Brokerage Company in Santa Rosa California.

Rusty was an avid fly fisherman, he loved poetry, music, reading, carpentry, Griz football, and practical jokes. He also loved telling stories to the grand kids at his Wise River cabin while sitting around eating ice cream after a long day of fishing. He always liked volunteering his time and helping others.

He was a member of: the Sunrise Rotary of Missoula Montana and Santa Rosa California, Past Board Member of the Missoula Symphony, Member of Missoula County Tax Appeal Board, member of City of Missoula Board of Adjustment, and a board member of St. Patrick Hospital Foundation. He also spent several years as a volunteer at St. Patrick Hospital.

He is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Christina (Aaron), stepdaughters Christine (Craig) and Jill (Mark) and six grandchildren.

He had many friends near and far and will be missed by all.

There will be a celebration of his life on November 20, 2014 at 3pm at Hilton Garden Inn Missoula, Montana.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Rotary Club of Missoula Sunrise on behalf of the annual F. Russell Lockner Essay Contest, Partners in Home Care (Hospice), or your favorite charity.








Read F. Lockner's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.