Dallas Russell, a bit more equal than most.

The oft spoken words, “all men are created equal” are just not true. Well okay we might all start out more or less equal but some men through heredity or training or luck or the blessing of God rise above the rest. In the world of sports how many men equal a Kobe Bryant? Or in the world of making movies how many equal a Steven Spielberg or Ron Howard? What about in the business world, how many equal a Bill Gates? These are all great men of unequalled accomplishment in their chosen fields of labor. It is also true; however, that greatness as a human being does not have to come with fame and fortune. One such truly great yet relatively unknown and modest man is the all too sadly late Dallas Russell.

For 16 years Dallas Russell was math instructor at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. In that position he enriched and motivated the lives of thousands of young men and women in pursuit of their dreams. He did receive a Teacher of the Year Award from the ARCO SMART Foundation and he is affiliated with the prestigious Network of Educators in Science and Technology located on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His full resume is truly distinguished with both a Masters Degree in Education and a Masters of Business Administration as well as a successful business career in service to both Del Monte Corporation and Kimberly Clark. But while these resume credits are impressive they really tell only a small part of the story of one terrific human being. You see Dallas Russell was one of those rare but cherished people who was genuinely committed to helping others succeed. Here is but one personal example of that quality in Dallas Russell.

It was in the early summer of 2009 when I first met Dallas Russell. My daughter had been obsessing over the idea of attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts when one day our travels took us near the school’s campus. I asked her if she wanted to visit the LACHSA campus and her response was unhesitating and extremely enthusiastic so off we went.

With no pre arrangement, no prior planning or discussion we just showed up that day at the main office of LACHSA. Our visit was pure serendipity and as such may well have also been a dismal failure. Fate was kind to us that day for in the main LACHSA office there were two or three ladies manning desks and one pleasant gentleman introduced to us as Mr. Dallas Russell math teacher.

I introduced my daughter to Mr. Russell and watched as their conversation immediately evolved. He probed for her motivation and she hung on his every word. He told her, correctly as it turned out, that LACSHA was deeply challenging on many levels and that unwavering commitment was needed to survive but ultimately worth the effort. You could see him begin to glow as my daughter did not shrink from his challenges but rather embraced them. It was clear that he was seeking the core of the young woman before him and that his purpose was to provide wise counsel. Clearly Dallas Russell was a master.

He then offered to take us on a tour of the LACHSA campus. Of course the offer was accepted and off we went. We met four or five small groups of students in various classrooms about the facility. With each group Dallas Russell warmly introduced my daughter as a prospective LACHSA student and he would encourage each group to tell honestly of their experiences at LACHSA. That day I frequently heard something I never remember hearing ever before from any high school student anywhere on this planet. The constant refrain was “I can’t wait to get up in the morning to come here to LACHSA.” Wow!

As we walked along Dallas Russell would continuously engage my daughter in conversation always seeking to test her resolve and encourage her actions at the same time. At the end of our impromptu tour we both felt as if we had been given a very special introduction to a very special place by truly special man. While it might seem silly I also kept marveling at the fact that we had just walked in off the street as it were.
Dallas Russell was not “on duty” for random tours nor was he in any way obligated to even talk with us let alone spend a substantial amount of his time enlightening us in the special way that he did that day. It became very clear to me that day that this gentleman who I had just met was one extraordinary man, a man of true passion and commitment to every young man or woman he mentored. He gave of himself fully and freely and with respect and love to all around him.

Sadly this experience can no longer be repeated. Recently Mr. Dallas Russell was taken from this earth no doubt to serve on a higher plane. Certainly his family and friends at LACHSA and elsewhere are deeply saddened by his passing. Some small comfort may exist in the knowledge that the grief is widely shared. And while Dallas Russell was not a sports star or movie star or famous business mogul, he was absolutely a super star in humanity. For all who rightly mourn his passing please accept my deepest condolences. I hasten to add, however, that the light of his star will forever glow in the minds and hearts of all who were blessed to have met him. Thank you God for giving our world Dallas Russell. I know he will now serve you well in heaven.