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Obituary For Russell Luther Malmberg
Dr. Russell Luther Malmberg, 70, died peacefully at home following a difficult battle with brain cancer. He was a loving husband, brother, uncle and friend to many. Russell is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna Carney of Athens, siblings Mark Malmberg (Caroline Lovell) of Portland, Oregon, Joyce Miller (David) of Anderson, South Carolina, and Amy Forest (Donald) of Falls Church, Virginia, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Geraldine Malmberg in 2015, as well as younger brother Carl in 1984. Russell grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Edgewood High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Oberlin College followed by a PhD in Genetics at the University of Wisconsin. He completed post-doctoral research at Michigan State University and at Cold Spring Harbor Labs in NY prior to his move to Georgia. He enjoyed boating at Lake Hartwell, traveling, playing chess, and reading.
Russell joined the faculty of the University of Georgia Department of Plant Biology in 1985. During his long career at UGA he was an inspiring teacher, researcher, mentor, administrator, colleague, and friend. His curiosity and intelligence made Russell a natural for exploring technology and its relationship to scientific data, leading to research advances in plant biology, computational biology and bioinformatics. He was an early adopter of new scientific technologies and was generous in sharing his expertise with students and colleagues. He was a champion for women's advancement in the sciences. Over the years he served as major advisor for thirteen graduate students, six postdoctoral scholars, and 21 undergraduate students. Russell’s calm demeanor, ability to get things done, and sense of humor also made him an ideal academic leader. He served as Director of the Plant Center, Head of the Department of Plant Biology, and Associate Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. He played an active role in many innovations at UGA including the establishment of the Institute of Bioinformatics, the Young Dawgs Science Internship Program, and the Science Learning Center. Practical as well as funny, his dry wit brought many smiles. In recognition of his many contributions to science he was selected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and named a University of Georgia "University Professor" in 2014, a title he retained until his retirement.
A ceremony for friends to remember him will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or consider one of these: UGA Plant Biology Department Grad Student Award Endowment https://www.plantbio.uga.edu/support-us or Doctors Without Borders. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
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Timothy Shaw sent Eternal Peace Basket for Russell Luther Malmberg - January 12, 2023
Dr. Malmberg, you are an amazing teacher. We miss you.
Chunmei Liu planted 5 trees in memory of Russell Luther Malmberg . - January 13, 2023
5 Trees were planted in memory of Russell Luther Malmberg - January 10, 2023
I will always miss the ingenuous smile that was always writ large in Prof. Malmberg's face. He was always a caring professor to us, the graduate students of University of Georgia- ever-inspiring and immensely supportive, always a champion of our cause. In one word, he was "a student's professor". His witty words of wisdom always brought smile to his near and dear ones. During my toughest days in UGA, when I lost my father and was feeling very gloomy, he was the one who still motivated me to keep going even though he was long retired by then. We will never forget you and your cherubic smile. You will always remain there in our memory lane, Prof. Malmberg.
Russell was a part of reason that I have been deeply involved in bioinformatics research. I first met Russell during my UGA job interview in 2001 and his passion in interdisciplinary work was contagious. From that time on throughout our two decades of research collaborations, Russell showed himself a great collaborator, a patient listener, and a person of wisdom, with intellectual curiosity and willingness to take initiative. His enthusiasm and tireless work were indispensable to the productivity of our lab in generating research publications and fundings, and, above all, several dozens of lab alumni. Russell was a happy and humorous person whose words always brightened conversations and meetings. He was a friend from whom I have learned so much and whom I will miss dearly. - Liming Cai
In our respective administrative positions, Russell and I worked collaboratively on many projects. Russell was always the ideal partner, communicative, willing to listen, always had good ideas and was willing to share, ready to do the necessary work, and above all a kind and gentle human being with a great sense of humor. I will miss him dearly. - Bob Scott
Russell was part of the committee who brought me to the UGA in 2003. We have been friends since then. He was the chair of the advisory committee to the Director of the new Institute of Bioinformatics. In that role, he helped me tremendously to grow and to learn how to develop a new organization. I always enjoyed talking with him about various interesting plants and their evolution. Russell was one of the most gentle, kind and considerate people I have worked with. He was witty and funny! Russell, you will be dearly missed by your friends and colleagues. Ying Xu
Russell was an amazing man. I first met him when I was a graduate student and had the pleasure of taking his Plant Developmental Biology course. Honestly, this was a topic for which I had little interest at the outset, but he brought it to life and made it more interesting than I could have imagined, and I learned a tremendous amount. Later, he was the PBIO Dept Head when I was hired back at UGA in 2006. I will never forget how welcome he made us feel when we moved back to Athens. I was always impressed with his ability (and willingness!) to re-invent himself scientifically and professionally. His curiosity knew no bounds. I will always remember him for that curiosity, as well as his sense of humor and deep wisdom about... Well, pretty much any topic that would come up.
I offer my deep sympathy and my condolence To Donna and all the Malmberg family. I remember going to the lake house feeling very comfortable with his gracious hospitality. Rest in peace Russell. Peace and love.Rick Forest
I always looked forward to my time with Russell. Such a delightful man. I wish that distance had not prevented us from knowing each other better. He trusted me in our relationship and that means the world too me. Nothing but smiles here when I think of this gentle man. Tony Sigmon
