Russell William Powis died quietly in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Nov. 17, 2016, while preparing for a ride. He loved to go on rides.

Although the Powis surname is of Welsh heritage, the family genealogist says Russ was born on the south side of Chicago on Jan. 11, 1923, to first generation immigrants, not from Wales: his father, a brick layer, whose family had emigrated from England and his mother, an Irish Catholic. However, like all Welshmen, the Powis side of the family loved music, and many wonderful nights were spent singing around the piano with all the Powis uncles. He attended Myra Bradwell Elementary School and graduated from Hersh High School, both in Chicago. His eyesight did not allow him to serve in the military. While recuperating in the hospital from injuries suffered during a hunting trip, a nice nurse said she wanted him to meet her sister. The introduction to Suzanne Puhan resulted in a marriage of 65 years and two sons.

Suzanne and Russ lived first in Chicago where he worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as a draftsman. In 1950 he was recruited by Fairbanks Morse in Beloit, Wisconsin, as a project engineer in the Locomotive Engineering Department. While working there, Russell finished an engineering degree, graduating from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. At Fairbanks Morse he was part of the team that designed the first portable liquid oxygen delivery system. Fairbanks Morse eventually moved the family to the Philadelphia area where Russ became a sales engineer focusing on compressed air. After two years in sales, Joy Manufacturing recruited him and there he rose through the ranks, becoming a district sales manager for the northeast and then assistant vice president for public affairs which took the family to Washington DC, where he served as vice president of government relations. Joy promoted Russ to vice president of compressor sales and transferred him to Libertyville, Illinois. He retired from that position in 1983 and moved to Virginia to be close to his youngest son as he began his family. Russ was a 32-year member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

In retirement, Russ started the Powis "Channel 99" video projects, taking movies of everything that was happening. He was an early convert into email and computers, eventually convincing his eldest son to get an email address so everyone could communicate quickly. But Russ still wrote long letters by hand, many of which included mechanical drawings of various projects, all saved and cherished as mementos of a different time.

Russ and Suzanne moved to Venice, Florida in 1990 and lived there for almost 18 years. They were among the first residents of the Chestnut Creek community in Venice, where a group of retired fellows formed a group on bicycles to monitor the community's water system. Russ became the audio specialist at the local Presbyterian church. Afternoons were spent riding around in the car and taking visitors to Venice Beach to find shark teeth.

While in their mid-80s, it became apparent that being closer to family for a variety of issues was important. They moved to St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, to be closer their eldest son. The couple made their way through Independent Living and Assisted Living at St. Andrews Village and, soon after the passing of Suzanne in 2011, Russ moved into the Gregory Wing. He would list among his favorite experiences there Missy's liver and onions, all the church services, Bingo, the abundance of musicians who came to perform, chocolate, ice cream and, of course, bus rides.

Over the years Russ enjoyed various hobbies: sailing, photography and videography, playing the organ and listening to Al Jolson, woodworking, swimming, and handball. He was known in the family as "Joy Boy" because of how much he loved working for Joy Manufacturing.

Russ is survived by his two sons and their wives, Richard and Peggy recently of Boothbay, Maine, and Robert and Denise of Crawfordville, Florida; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one cousin and nieces and nephews from coast to coast. In lieu of flowers, take a long car ride, sing along with Al Jolson, buy a York mint or find someone who will make you a plate of liver and onions. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Russ will be interred with Suzanne at their final resting place at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich, Illinois. Feeney and Hornak Funeral Services in Indianapolis facilitated Russ' final wishes.