Russell Victor Malo

Russell Victor Malo (87) passed away quietly on August 7, 2010 surrounded by loving family members. Russ is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria, four children, Allan, Karen Eidam (Jim), Janice Neff (Mark) and Chris (Nancy, nee Simpson), 9 grandchildren (Trisha (Malo) Bautista, Kimberly Malo, Lisa Eidam Kahley, Lauren Eidam Benner, Vincent Neff, Victor Neff, Vanessa Neff, Amy Malo, Eric Malo), his sister, Shirley Hennessy and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Victor H. and Angelina Malo. Russ preached to his family the essential ingredients to a successful life being faith, a loving spouse and a healthy life style. He loved his family and took particular pride in the fact that he was the 4th Malo generation to be married for 50+ years and that all of his children and grandchildren had graduated from college.Russ grew up in Medford, Mass. outside of Boston and attended Tufts College (class of 1945) earning his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He participated in a highly selective Navy Reserve Officer Training Corp. program at Tufts and was called to active duty serving as a Lieutenant on a Naval mine sweeper during the later stages of WW II. Upon completing his degree and Naval service, Russ and Gloria relocated to the Calumet Region settling in Munster. Russ accepted a position in 1948 with then Standard Oil at their research facility in Whiting retiring in 1984 as Senior Research Chemical Engineer in the Amoco Oil Naperville, IL Research Center. While at Standard Oil (Amoco Chemicals) Russ’s work awarded him 8 U.S. patents, the most important of which involved the process to formulate high-octane fuels which continues to be used throughout the world today. Russ had a keen sense of understanding the practical applications of chemistry and mechanics and was often called upon to be a trouble-shooter for endangered projects throughout the company. Russ was an active outdoorsman (hunting and fishing) and fitness enthusiast. One of his passions was the training of hunting dogs which he did continuously over the past four decades. Some of his fondest memories shared with all were the annual excursions to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota with his children and later grandchildren, canoeing into the wilderness to instill an appreciation of nature. Russ had led the men’s adult fitness program during the 1970’s at Munster High School, and had been a member of Omni Health Club since its opening and attended the club almost daily until his illness. He had many friends including dear friends from Munster, neighbors, colleagues from Standard Oil and Omni and appreciated all those visiting and sending notes in over the past few months. Russ left a wonderful family legacy, achieved the successful life he preached and will be missed by all. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at Kish Funeral Home at 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. A Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 12 at 10:00am at St. Thomas More Church in Munster. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Hospice of the Calumet Area 600 Superior Street, Munster IN.