Annie No. 1 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Two killed in Lake Placid airplane crash identified | News, Sports, Jobs - Lake Placid News WWW.LAKEPLACIDNEWS.COM LAKE PLACID — The two people killed in an airplane crash at the Lake Placid Airport on Sunday have been identified as Russ... 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kamikaze Kid Moderator No. 2 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Very sad news. RIP Russ. Duck legend. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augduck No. 3 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Horrible news. Was just talking with some friends about him a few weeks ago. We were wondering what he was up to of late. Very sad. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woundedknees No. 4 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) RIP, Russ. Former HS teammate. I distinctly remember the sunny spring morning in 1971 when Russ launched a a javelin throw that set the national hs record. The article is wrong. Russ played football and wrestled in Hawaii, before transferring to Pleasant Hill High School, where he played basketball and ran track. 3 years at Oregon with the football team. Edited October 2, 2023 by woundedknees 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anyotherduck No. 5 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) Sad news. I remember meeting Russ in 1972 when I was 9 years old. Russ parachuted into my hometown of Gilchrist to meet up with my sister (also a duck), if I remember correctly they hung out for the day then my sis drove them back to Pleasant Hill/Eugene. Meeting Russ was a big deal for me as I was a huge track and field fan. I remember talking with Russ about throwing the javelin and thinking what a cool guy he was. RIP Russ. Edited October 2, 2023 by anyotherduck typo 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseKwacker No. 6 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Fond memories of big Russ. As Howard Cosell dubbed him, Russ Francis was "all world." RIP 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notalot No. 7 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) On 10/2/2023 at 12:13 PM, woundedknees said: RIP, Russ. Former HS teammate. I distinctly remember the sunny spring morning in 1971 when Russ launched a a javelin throw that set the national hs record. The article is wrong. Russ played football and wrestled in Hawaii, before transferring to Pleasant Hill High School, where he played basketball and ran track. 3 years at Oregon with the football team. I batted against Russ pitching for PH in MidState Summer league. So, Baseball too. Edited October 2, 2023 by Notalot 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckdude No. 8 Share Posted October 2, 2023 R.I.P., Russ. Sorry to see you go……. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mic No. 9 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Bummer. Life ends eventually for all of us but it's never good to hear when someone you love, or admire, or look-up to leaves this earth. Seems a lot of people I held in these 3 categories have passed this year. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Ducky No. 10 Share Posted October 2, 2023 The older I get the more this kind of thing rears its ugly head. RIP Mr. Francis. Complete Stud. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDuck No. 11 Share Posted October 3, 2023 Francis set the national high school record for the javelin in 1970 while at Pleasant Hill High (Oregon). The record stood for 18 years until it was broken by 1 inch by Art Skipper from Sandy High (Oregon). Francis lost his life in a small plane accident. Skipper lost his life in 2001 near Sandy in a small plane accident. Sam Crouser, Gresham High (Oregon) set a new standard in 2010; but, by then the javelin had been redesigned so it wouldn't travel as far due to safety reasons at track meets. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 12 Share Posted October 3, 2023 This sucks. Russ was one of my all-time favorite Pats players. Rest In Peace. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDuck No. 13 Share Posted October 3, 2023 How many of you remember his father on Portland Wrestling - Gentleman Ed Francis. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall Lucky No. 14 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Dad flew with Russ back when they were both renting out of the old McKenzie Flying Service. Neither were slight of build. Apparently well loaded Cessna 150s have exciting stall characteristics. I remember Russ later showing up at Mahlon Sweet with his P-51 and thinking “Eugene kids can do things!”. Godspeed Russ, and thank you! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
