Many of us have laughed at Russ Jensen's jokes, and enjoyed his pleasant
nature. I send you this message from his daughter Gail Jensen.


Russell H. Jensen, passed away on December 29, 2001, in Phoenix AZ after a
month long illness.  He had recently moved to Phoenix, AZ from Chadds Ford,
PA to be near family.

Russ played many roles during his 30 years of service with the Delaware
Museum of Natural History, most recently as Mollusk Department Head Emeritus
and volunteer. His life-long work, "Marine Mollusks of Bermuda: Checklist
and Bibliography", is currently awaiting publication as DMNH Monograph
Series No. 5.  As a United States Army Staff Sergeant, he became interested
in shells while stationed in Bermuda during WWII.  After the war, he
traveled the Caribbean and South Pacific collecting shells and judging shell
shows across the country.

Russ was known for his rampant enthusiasm, boundless energy, enchanting
sense of humor and the ability to come up with a joke, pun or limerick for
every occasion.  He joyfully collected everything: knowledge, books, natural
history specimens, recipes, e-mail jokes and friends. He had a sizable
collection of dolphin figurines and planned to "come back" and swim the
oceans as one.  A self-proclaimed "sociable introvert," he loved people and
being with his friends to enjoy a good meal and conversation.  He worked in
his vegetable and lily gardens, loved to cook, studied Mayan civilization,
performed wonders in his basement woodworking, made silver jewelry, cut
semi-precious gemstones and dreamed of, designed and invented many useful
"gadgets."  He was a true Renaissance Man.

Russ owned a florist/nursery business from 1950 until 1970 in Bloomfield,
NJ, with his with wife, Dorothy Haarde Jensen. He was born in E. Orange, NJ.
Russ was pre-deceased by his wife Dot, and is survived by his son Gary and
his wife Betty of Phoenix AZ, his daughter, Gail and her husband Barry Kayes
and granddaughter, Dana, of Charlottesville, VA, and his collection of many
friends.


Your memories, pictures and anecdotes about Russ are welcome. You many send
them to [log in to unmask]  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made to The Russell H. and Dorothy H. Jensen Memorial Fund, in care of the
Delaware Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 3937, Wilmington, DE 19807.