Eric Charles Russell, marine environmentalist and founder of the Aquatic Protection Agency, passed away on Friday, April 12th, at the age of 39. Eric was born in Manassas, Virginia, September 23, 1973. His family moved to San Jose, California, where Eric attended DeVargas Elementary, Hyde Jr High, and Cupertino High. During high school, Eric performed with local theatre groups, and he danced the lead in the Santa Clara Ballet production of the Nutcracker Suite that toured several major western cities.
Eric was inspired by his grandfather, Charles Mehlert, who was a Marine Specialist for the California State Parks and Recreation, founder of the California Underwater Park System, and the person responsible for saving Año Nuevo State Reserve from being sold to a private restaurateur. Eric spent the major part of his adult life working to keep Pacific waters clean and safe, focusing on Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, as well as the National Coastal Reserve. He founded the Aquatic Protection Agency, which tested the waters to detect pollution from run-off and visiting cruise ships. He also sponsored events to raise awareness of coastal pollution and to clean up California beaches. Eric was awarded "Man of the Year" by Surfrider in 2002.
After sustaining back injuries a few years ago, Eric focused on his musical talent. His latest effort, Mojo Workin' Blues Band, performed at various venues in the Santa Clara Valley. Although his life was tragically cut short, he made a significant contribution to our environment that benefits us all, and he lived his life to the fullest. Eric was a master diver and volunteered for the Marine Rescue and Surfrider Foundation. He was a mountain climber, photographer, musician, singer, soloed a Cessna 152 aircraft, world traveler; he explored the Outback in Australia, journeyed throughout Ireland, and dived off Antarctica. Eric will be missed by his family, a multitude of friends from his travels, environmental accomplishments and musical projects, and also the amazing creatures of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco Bays.
Eric is survived by his mother, Laura Mehlert Russell; father, Guy (Nancy) Russell; brother, Brent (Kristin) Russell; granduncle, Calvin (Nguyet) Mehlert; uncle, Robert Mehlert; and many cousins.
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on June 9, 2013
Eric was inspired by his grandfather, Charles Mehlert, who was a Marine Specialist for the California State Parks and Recreation, founder of the California Underwater Park System, and the person responsible for saving Año Nuevo State Reserve from being sold to a private restaurateur. Eric spent the major part of his adult life working to keep Pacific waters clean and safe, focusing on Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, as well as the National Coastal Reserve. He founded the Aquatic Protection Agency, which tested the waters to detect pollution from run-off and visiting cruise ships. He also sponsored events to raise awareness of coastal pollution and to clean up California beaches. Eric was awarded "Man of the Year" by Surfrider in 2002.
After sustaining back injuries a few years ago, Eric focused on his musical talent. His latest effort, Mojo Workin' Blues Band, performed at various venues in the Santa Clara Valley. Although his life was tragically cut short, he made a significant contribution to our environment that benefits us all, and he lived his life to the fullest. Eric was a master diver and volunteered for the Marine Rescue and Surfrider Foundation. He was a mountain climber, photographer, musician, singer, soloed a Cessna 152 aircraft, world traveler; he explored the Outback in Australia, journeyed throughout Ireland, and dived off Antarctica. Eric will be missed by his family, a multitude of friends from his travels, environmental accomplishments and musical projects, and also the amazing creatures of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco Bays.
Eric is survived by his mother, Laura Mehlert Russell; father, Guy (Nancy) Russell; brother, Brent (Kristin) Russell; granduncle, Calvin (Nguyet) Mehlert; uncle, Robert Mehlert; and many cousins.
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on June 9, 2013
Eric Charles Russell, marine environmentalist and founder of the Aquatic Protection Agency, passed away on Friday, April 12th, at the age of 39. Eric was born in Manassas, Virginia, September 23, 1973. His family moved to San Jose, California, where Eric attended DeVargas Elementary, Hyde Jr High, and Cupertino High. During high school, Eric performed with local theatre groups, and he danced the lead in the Santa Clara Ballet production of the Nutcracker Suite that toured several major western cities.
Eric was inspired by his grandfather, Charles Mehlert, who was a Marine Specialist for the California State Parks and Recreation, founder of the California Underwater Park System, and the person responsible for saving Año Nuevo State Reserve from being sold to a private restaurateur. Eric spent the major part of his adult life working to keep Pacific waters clean and safe, focusing on Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, as well as the National Coastal Reserve. He founded the Aquatic Protection Agency, which tested the waters to detect pollution from run-off and visiting cruise ships. He also sponsored events to raise awareness of coastal pollution and to clean up California beaches. Eric was awarded "Man of the Year" by Surfrider in 2002.
After sustaining back injuries a few years ago, Eric focused on his musical talent. His latest effort, Mojo Workin' Blues Band, performed at various venues in the Santa Clara Valley. Although his life was tragically cut short, he made a significant contribution to our environment that benefits us all, and he lived his life to the fullest. Eric was a master diver and volunteered for the Marine Rescue and Surfrider Foundation. He was a mountain climber, photographer, musician, singer, soloed a Cessna 152 aircraft, world traveler; he explored the Outback in Australia, journeyed throughout Ireland, and dived off Antarctica. Eric will be missed by his family, a multitude of friends from his travels, environmental accomplishments and musical projects, and also the amazing creatures of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco Bays.
Eric is survived by his mother, Laura Mehlert Russell; father, Guy (Nancy) Russell; brother, Brent (Kristin) Russell; granduncle, Calvin (Nguyet) Mehlert; uncle, Robert Mehlert; and many cousins.
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on June 9, 2013
Eric was inspired by his grandfather, Charles Mehlert, who was a Marine Specialist for the California State Parks and Recreation, founder of the California Underwater Park System, and the person responsible for saving Año Nuevo State Reserve from being sold to a private restaurateur. Eric spent the major part of his adult life working to keep Pacific waters clean and safe, focusing on Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, as well as the National Coastal Reserve. He founded the Aquatic Protection Agency, which tested the waters to detect pollution from run-off and visiting cruise ships. He also sponsored events to raise awareness of coastal pollution and to clean up California beaches. Eric was awarded "Man of the Year" by Surfrider in 2002.
After sustaining back injuries a few years ago, Eric focused on his musical talent. His latest effort, Mojo Workin' Blues Band, performed at various venues in the Santa Clara Valley. Although his life was tragically cut short, he made a significant contribution to our environment that benefits us all, and he lived his life to the fullest. Eric was a master diver and volunteered for the Marine Rescue and Surfrider Foundation. He was a mountain climber, photographer, musician, singer, soloed a Cessna 152 aircraft, world traveler; he explored the Outback in Australia, journeyed throughout Ireland, and dived off Antarctica. Eric will be missed by his family, a multitude of friends from his travels, environmental accomplishments and musical projects, and also the amazing creatures of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco Bays.
Eric is survived by his mother, Laura Mehlert Russell; father, Guy (Nancy) Russell; brother, Brent (Kristin) Russell; granduncle, Calvin (Nguyet) Mehlert; uncle, Robert Mehlert; and many cousins.
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on June 9, 2013
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