About Rob Russell

Robert E. Russell was born January 31, 1959 in Cody, Wyoming. He was the oldest child of Butch and Jeanne Russell and the older brother to his sisters Toni and Julie. While seemingly “a natural” at both sports and academics, those who knew him watched him work hard, play hard and study hard. He was humble, patient, kind, polite and genuine. He never complained and never let his hard earned talents cause him to be conceited. He treated everyone he met with respect, no matter their station in life. He was a friend and mentor to almost every student at Cody High School. These talents began when Rob was a child, but followed him throughout his entire life and was the foundation for being such a successful adult. 

Rob was an all around and impressive athlete, who had the amazing ability to lead others in a positive manner. Rob fell in love with sports at an early age, competing in PeeWee League baseball and Punt Pass and Kick football as a young boy and continuing to compete in many sports from elementary school through college. Many remember the 1976 AA State Football championship game where the Broncs, an amazingly talented group of boys, rallied and overcame a deficit halftime score of 20-8, to win 41-40 against the Laramie Plainsmen. It was Rob who kicked the winning field goal in that exhilarating and memorable game. (The adjacent photo shows Rob with his mom, Jeanne, after that game).

Rob was a member of Boys’ State and the National Honor Society. He attended the University of Wyoming on a baseball scholarship where he was nicknamed "The Rock" by his teammates, while earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1982. Rob remained a loyal University of Wyoming sports fan for the remainder of his life. 

Rob began working for Marathon Oil upon graduating from the University of Wyoming in 1982. He had a long and rewarding career, remaining loyal to them for 34 years. Various opportunities took him and his family from Wyoming to Indiana to Oklahoma and then to Houston, Texas where he retired in 2016 after 34 years with the company. At the end of his career he was the Audit Manager of Corporate and Upstream Auditing. Rob made many memories along the way and continued to create lifelong friendships.

Rob married Debbie Decklever in 1987 and they spent 33 beautiful years together, raising a daughter and a son. He loved his family with his whole being while quietly being a patient and adoring father, mentoring his children and then his grandchildren by modeling gentleness and integrity.

Quotes

"Rob didn’t always win. That’s when his impeccable sportsmanship was really visible. Many times, I would see him run across a field or a parking lot after a game to personally congratulate a player on another team who outplayed or out-skilled him. He loved being challenged and learning from those who performed well, and took the time and effort to communicate his respect to them."
-Julie Good, Rob's sister

"… at the state (baseball) tournament in Greybull as 12 year olds, Dairy Queen was giving away banana splits for home runs, and Rob was getting 2, 3 or 4 home runs a game, so he ended up giving his tickets to the kids who hadn’t hit a home run. If that tournament had gone on much longer, Dairy Queen may have gone out of business…"
-John Wantulok, friend and teammate

“Trying to stop Rob Russell (is) like trying to empty the ocean with a bucket.”
 - The Cody Enterprise, 1976

“#22 was a hero to some, a respected role model to many, and one who helped others believe in themselves in the end. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and Baba to his family and I am very proud to have called him my teammate and friend.”
-Kirk Winterholler, friend and teammate

"Rob was a standout at sports and I think it takes a more well rounded person to compete in more than one sport. You asked what Rob's favorite sport was, and I would say it was whatever sport was in season.”
-John Wantulok, friend and teammate

“I would not be where I am today without Rob. I wasn’t a 'cool kid' but Rob showed us what we could do, and still be a great person. He inspired me since I was in the 7th grade! He (was) one of my idols and examples for years. I have never forgotten him and have thought about him when I have had tough times. I didn’t know him closely, but that shows how big a net he cast. It made me proud anytime that he approved of me. Rob Russell WAS Wyoming!
 - Mike Leach , head football coach Mississippi State Bulldogs

"While many remember Robbie as that athlete who represented Cody Broncs so well, it’s important to remember the many other aspects of his character, as well. He was also a good student who eventually went into Accounting at the University of Wyoming, followed by working a long career with Marathon Oil. More importantly, Rob was simply a great guy. He was humble, he was funny, he was loyal, and he was always a Cody Bronc. (He came home frequently for family and class reunions.) A great husband and family man, he was that guy who managed to wear many hats and wear them well, yet he was more the strong, silently type than one to talk about himself."
-Rick Stonehouse, friend and retired Cody High teacher

“Rob lived the phrase, 'Well Done is better than Well Said.' This sounds so easy, but few people understand the power of being silent. They are enchanted by the sound of their own voice. Fewer yet possess the power to actively listen. He knew the power of staying in the moment - this play, this at-bat, this project deadline, this golf shot, this moment right now - and executed without getting distracted with past events or future outcomes.”
-Cary Brus, friend and CHS alumni

Awards

Punt, Pass and Kick ( 1967-71, ages to 8-12 years old), placed first in his age group in local and state competitions. At age 11 years he traveled to the Houston Astrodome where he competed during halftime of the AFL Championship game.

Little League and Babe Ruth baseball (age 11-15 years old, 1970-1974) played with the same group of boys who won the State championship every year. They traveled to Reno, Denver, Whitefish, Montana and Canada to perform in regional tournaments.

Member of All Star team at the Regional Babe Ruth tournament (1973)

Buchanan-McFarland Award (1977): Best Boy Athlete at Cody High School

Member of American Legion Boys State and the National Honor Society

Wilford Mower Award (1977): This prestigious award is presented to outstanding senior athletes by the Big Horn Basin Coaches and Administrators to honor the students’ Academic and Athletic achievements. Only four other Cody boys have received this award - Kirk Winterholler (1975), Mike Weher (1981), Brody Smith (2016), and Reece Andre (2018). Cody girls receiving this award include Sierra Jech (2010), Danielle Skinner (2011), Brooke Myers (2012), Laurel Place (2014), and Baylee Stanford (2020).

Co-Recipient of the Milward Simpson Athlete of the Year Award (1977)

Lettered nine times in sports in his Cody High School career (1974-77) - track (4 years), football (3 years), basketball (2 years).

Awarded membership on the Wyoming High School Football Coaches Association Class AA Allstate Team (1976) as an offensive back and return specialist.