Russ Melton, a partner at Meagher & Geer and beloved friend, passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2013, after a long and arduous battle with cancer.

The memorial service for Russ was held on March 9, 2013.  The family suggests that memorials be directed to the National Math and Science Initiative.

Russ began his legal career in 1986 as a graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law, and went on to be a founding partner of the Foley & Mansfield law firm. In 2008, he moved his practice to Meagher & Geer, where he led the Catastrophic Loss practice group, responding to large fires, explosions, chemical releases, and other disasters on behalf of his insurance company clients. Russ was absolutely passionate about his job. He loved nothing more than being in charge of a giant loss and meeting like-minded people from all over the world. The experts, clients, and colleagues he met on the job instantly became his friends. He put together a team of technically-trained lawyers: young attorneys with engineering degrees (“nerds”), and successfully created the concept of “the convergence of science and law.” His long-term goal was to create new standards of qualification and competency for those involved in the forensic investigation industry, and he established the Institute of Forensic Investigation for that purpose. For more on Russ’ professional endeavors, please click here to read his bio.

Self-nicknamed “The Man In Black,” Russ was born in 1945 in North Carolina, and always considered himself a Southern Man, with a love of fried chicken, grits, greens, and peach cobbler. His dream was to open a law office in Charleston, South Carolina, where he could dictate his incomprehensible 3 a.m. memos (in a language called “Russ-Speak”) while sitting on the shore listening to the ocean waves.

Russ was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and served for many years in submarines.

Russ’ Scottish heritage was very special to him, and he made many trips to his homeland during his life. Dressed in his family tartan kilt, he hosted many Scottish-themed parties at his home in White Bear Lake, where the Minnesota Bagpipe Band would perform with gusto, marching down his long private road, up his driveway and into his house.

Though he gave up his dream of being a rock star as he grew up − it was easier to make money as a lawyer − Russ idolized the Rolling Stones, and almost every conversation, business or personal, included some reference to Keith Richards. He was an avid reader and sought out those with whom he could discuss the latest books he was reading. He introduced many to the concept of the six-egg omelet, and when he ordered “pie” in a restaurant, he didn’t mean a slice, he meant the whole pie. He was a regular at the Monte Carlo restaurant for years. Russ loved hot-rodders, and owned a classic ’60s Corvette that he’d open up on the highway during the summer months. He was blessed with a beautiful home that he called “Castle Muldoon,” where he worked diligently and lovingly on the grounds. He enjoyed sitting in his living room with his beloved dog, Casey, on his lap, looking out the window at the fruits of his labor.

Russ Melton was the very proud father of son Cameron, age 26, and daughter Mackenzie, 18, and was engaged to a lovely woman named Christine, who saw him through the worst of his illness and never left his side.

There was no one in the world like Russ. He will be missed every single day.