Obituary of Russell G. Fryburg

Russell G Fryburg, Jr. Nov. 28, 1923 -- Feb. 6, 2020 Folks may have known Russ Fryburg as leader in the lumber industry, a competitor in golf or a political argument, a community volunteer, a friend, or a deeply caring husband and father. But underlying all those relationships was a firm set of rules he applied until his death in Eugene, Feb. 6, at age 96. Among them: • Always ask, “Does it stand the test of logic.” • Stand up for the underdog. • Take care of your family. • Fight for what you know is right. You’ll get knocked down. Get up and keep going. • Scrape the peanut butter jar! • Help the people on the other side of the tracks. The next Einstein may live there. • If industry doesn’t regulate itself, the government will. • “Lead with your left, cross with your right!” End with a handshake. • Be kind. (Russ always made sure, anonymously, that any kid on his children’s teams or Scout troops who couldn’t afford a uniform – had one.) Those rules, and his politics, were shaped by Russ Fryburg’s early years in Montana where he romped and worked at his grandfather’s cattle ranch (and listened to another grandfather who simultaneously promoted the Great Northern Railroad and voted for Eugene V. Debs), worked to pay family debts in Portland during the Depression, and spent WWII at an Army Air Forces base in Nebraska planning flights and riding the crash truck. He returned to Eugene for life, getting a business degree at U of O. Russ was a partner and later CEO at Timberlane Lumber Company (1949 – 1983), supplying the post-war housing boom. He retired as Sales Manager, Seneca Sawmill Co, in 1996. He married Phyllis Smith (1944), and helped her raise son Mark and daughter Brooke. Three grandchildren and four great grandchildren followed. Widowed in 1993, he married Donna Basye in 1994. She was at his side at their home when he passed. Russ’s long volunteer service resume included 18 years on the American Lumber Standards Committee and its Enforcement Subcommittee, President of the Western Lumber Marketing Association, work as an industry dispute mediator, appointment by Gov. Tom McCall to the Lane Transit District’s first board of directors, Chairman of the Lane County Public Defender’s board, and assisting the Victim Advocacy program of the district attorney. He brought strong opinions to all his jobs, but always listened with an open mind. Russ Fryburg displayed only a few of his awards, but one kept prominently above his desk at home said simply, “Tribute to a Fighter.” That he was, but the kind who you’d be proud to shake his hand and have a drink with him later.