RUSSELL ALVIN GARLITZ

Russell Alvin Garlitz, 88, of Alpena, passed away at home with his wife and daughter at his side on March 16, 2024.

Russell was born Sept. 29, 1935, in Pontiac, to the late Leonard and Doris (James) Garlitz and spent his childhood in Birmingham. After high school, he worked at several factory jobs before moving west to Oregon and Washington where he worked for the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service as a firefighter. He returned to Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1962. Russ then moved to the Upper Peninsula where he taught for three years and obtained a Master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in 1965. He then moved to Alpena where he taught in the biological science department at Alpena Community College until his retirement in 1993.

Russ was an avid reader and after retirement, spent a lot of time reading in his second love, history. He also loved poetry. He greatly admired Thomas Gray’s Elegy, Alfred Lord Tennyson’s In Memoriam, and especially The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Russ will be deeply missed by his wife, Deb (Arendsen) of 43 years; two daughters, Shelly Garlitz, Shawna Bushey (John); three grandchildren, Nikita, Coda, Indigo Bushey; sisters-in-law, Diane Garlitz, Betty Garlitz; and niece, Donna Garlitz. Also surviving is the mother of his daughters, Carol Garlitz-Powell.

RUSSELL ALVIN GARLITZ

Russell was preceded in death by his older brother, Francis Garlitz; younger brother, Leonard Garlitz.

Per his wishes, there will be no funeral, only a private gathering of family. Cremation arrangements have been handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.