Russell Benjamin Powers Jr.

Russell Benjamin Powers, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully at home after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on May 30, 1925 to the late Ruth and Russell Powers Sr. in Grand Rapids, MI.

Russell was a naval navigator in WWII. After the war, he entered Michigan State University in East Lansing. He then married his first wife, Nancy Harkness Powers. They raised two children, Mark and Suzanne. In 1963 the family moved to Delaware and he began working at the University of Delaware as Director of Publications. Russell was a member of the University Drama Group and Chapel Street Players for almost 30 years. He was also a member of two poker groups that he enjoyed with his close friends.

His wife, Nancy, passed away in January of 1972. One year later he married Lynne Wolfe, also a member of the Drama Group. Russell and Lynne, during their 39 year marriage, enjoyed tailgating at U of D’s football games and also loved cruising the Caribbean. They almost made a hobby of eating out in many of Newark’s restaurants. They especially loved the entire wait staff at Blue Crab Grill.

Russell is survived by his wife, Lynne Powers; son, Mark Powers and his wife, Maryellen of Newark, DE; daughter, Suzanne Powers of Wilmington, DE; step son, Bruce Wolfe and his wife, Michelle of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and grandchildren, Jennifer, Brittany, Casey Lynn, Robert and Andrew.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at R.T. Foard and Jones, Inc., 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, where friends and family may visit one hour prior. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, c/o the funeral home.