Russell Prickett

Russell PrickettForeign Service OfficerRussell Prickett, U.S. foreign service officer, died at 83 in Ashburn, VA on January 18. Russ was born May 18, 1932 in Willmar, Minnesota to Glenn and Edna Prickett, the eldest of three siblings. He graduated from Murray High School, St. Paul, MN in 1950, Hamline University in 1954, and Harvard Law School in 1957. After marrying Hiltrun Hermann, with whom he would have four daughters, he began his Foreign Service career with the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. in 1959.His overseas postings included Basel, Switzerland; Vienna, Austria; Tokyo, Japan; and Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia.During two separate assignments in Yugoslavia, Russ served as Commercial Attaché and Economic Counselor, bringing American trade and manufacturing investments into that nation. He is co-author of “Yugoslav-American Economic Relations Since World War II, ” published in both countries. He was a consultant and board member with the US-Yugoslav Economic Council.A love of music dominated his life and, upon retirement, his activities when he joined his wife Rose Taylor in Austin, Texas. He was a member of the Austin Lyric Opera, the University United Methodist Church and choir, and The Foreign Service Group. Russ was preceded in death by Rose and returned to Northern Virginia this past summer to be near his family. He is survived by his daughters Christine Prickett Miroslav Kovacevic, Sylvia Prickett David Case, Suzanne Prickett and Katherine Prickett Jeff Brown; his brother Gordon Prickett Jean and sister Joyce Kirk Pat Nobles. He is also survived by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, as well as by loving nieces, nephews and other extended family. A memorial service is scheduled at the University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas on Sunday March 6 at 2:00 PM. A celebration of Russ’s life will be held the following weekend in the Washington, DC area. For details, email CelebrateRuss@gmail.com.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Russ’s memory to the Southern Poverty Law Center, University United Methodist Church, Austin, TX, WETA/Classical Radio, Washington, D.C., or in support of any music program.