Egnor, Russell Darrell, JOCS

Senior Chief Journalist Mate
RUSSELL DARRELL EGNOR
Born April 16, 1937 Glen White, WV
Deceased June 1997


Obituary & Memorial Farewell Speech


Headline: Russell D. Egnor, 60, journalist for the Navy
Publication Date: July 04, 1997
Source: The Washington Times
Page: C8
Subjects:
Region: District of Columbia

Obituary: Russell D. Egnor, 60, director of the Navy's news photo division, a Manassas resident and a retired Navy Reserve senior chief journalist, died of leukemia June 17 at Fairfax Hospital.

Mr. Egnor reported the story of Navy operations around the world in words and pictures for more than 43 years.

He was born in Glen White, W.Va., and grew up in Detroit. He enlisted in the Navy in 1954 at age 17. He served on active duty as a Navy journalist for 15 years.

While assigned to the news and news photo divisions at the Pentagon, he was on board the first world cruise by nuclear-powered surface ships - the USS Enterprise, USS Bainbridge and USS Long Beach - and prepared features and hometown articles for the historic naval operation.
In the late 1960s, Mr. Egnor received advanced training at the Syracuse University School of Journalism and served as a photojournalist with the Pacific Fleet Combat Camera Group. He spent six weeks in Seoul and Panmunjom covering negotiations for the release of the USS Pueblo and her crew from North Korean captivity.

In 1969 he joined the Navy Reserve,{D-} serving with public-affairs units. He retired as a senior chief journalist after more than 34 years of active and reserve naval service.

Mr. Egnor then began a civilian Navy career in Washington, serving in various public-affairs offices. He was recently recognized for his contributions to military photojournalism around the world with a National Citation of Excellence from the National Press Photographers Association.
His military decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Egnor is survived by five children from his marriages, Andy Egnor, Robin Ann Willis, Randy Sue Payne, Melody Pearl Hourgreaves and Christopher Michael Egnor; his mother, Mabel Lucille Bowman Egnor; a brother, Larry Egnor; a sister, Karilyn Kunstbeck; a stepson, Larry Hixson; nine grandchildren; a great-grandchild; eight nieces and nephews; and loving companion Pat
Holmgaard.

A memorial service was held June 25 at the Post Chapel, Fort Myer, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Leukemia Society of America, National Capital Area Chapter, 2900 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, Va. 22314, or the Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004-2608



Russ Egnor's Farewell (http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/chinfo/russ.txt)
Delivered by Captain Joe Mancias, Jr, USNR (Ret), 25 June 1997 @ 1500


Russ would want me to ask: So what have you done for the Navy today!?

It was his hallmark....

Perhaps you knew him as Mr. Egnor, Darrell, Russ, Dad, Brother, Son, Egnor, or Senior Chief Journalist Russell D. Egnor, United States Naval Reserve....

However you knew him, you soon learned that he was, in his own way, a living legend - a combat photojournalist, a leader, a man of vision and humor....

A man of true loyalty to his family, to his friends, to his Navy, and to his opinions. And always an unabashed advocate for Navy Photography and photographers worldwide.

Russ asked for no quarter....and gave none!

If you didn't love the Navy and Navy Photography...then God help you.

Russ didn't want his send off to be sad.

My challenge is to fulfill his wish... and so - as he would say, "he who does not toot his own horn, is destined not to hear the sweet music!"

Russ, we're going to toot your horn in these few minutes-and the music comes from the many who knew you....

One shipmate said that behind the rough and gruff exterior of the sometimes grumpy old bear, there was a very soft, sweet, big teddy bear -- who would give hugs.

Another remembered Russ' ever constant reference to marginal PAO performance as 825s -or half-accomplished 1650s.

Some knew that Russ' hearing aid was turned on only some of the time. I knew that if he went to "adjust it," he was giving new meaning to "tuning you out."

Who will forget his distinguished ties, loud in color, often with messages.

And lest we forget his infamous Egnor-grams. Messages from Russ came in two flavors -- ones with smiley sailor, conveying a job well done; The second pictured the Tasmanian Devil raising hell because something got dropped, didn't get done and because of it, Navy Photography was set back.


After the fact, many a photojournalist learned that Russ entered their work in photo contests; they would win; he would delight in breaking the news and sending them their prize.

Russ was a giver - the kind of man who would purchase an airplane ticket and pay for a hotel room for a Petty Officer whose command could not afford to send him back to the United States so he could receive the Military Photographer of the Year Award or the White House Press Photographers award. Many a PAO or PH received plaques from Russ...all paid for out Russ' pocket.

Some will remember his donating sick and personal leave to others in need.

Russ could capture the moment... Once a Seaman in his office failed at photographing a promotion ceremony. When he saw the results of his film he chewed out the striker, then straight-faced went to the Admiral and blamed the failed job on HOT film.

The result was a refrigerator for storing film, something Russ had been trying to do for months. HOT film had nothing to do with the seaman's failure. But the seaman never failed another assignment.

Then there were reserve adventures.

In one instance when Chief Egnor was at Camp LeJuene, he and his CO were riding in Russ' van in search of a river boat exercise site when we were surrounded by defending Seals with M-16s aimed, and we were ordered to get out of the van. Calmly, Chief Egnor asked the SEAL, who was pointing his weapon through the driver's side, if he had bullets? A terse response came... "NO, get out of the van!"

Chief Egnor quietly reached under his seat and withdrew the largest pistol I had ever seen and turned to me and said in a very audible tone: "I have bullets, what do you want to do, skipper?"

The SEALs let us pass.

Talks with Russ could be stern and heated but underneath it all was the proverbial coach, big brother, dad and Navy Chief.

The consummate Chief - a giver - always looking out for what was best not for himself but for the Sailor - anyone - he was counseling. And we've ALL been counseled.

A former skipper of Russ said: "I well remember the cold winter mornings when he would roll up for drill in Norfolk on his bike in a bright orange jumpsuit.

Russ would get up at 4 a.m. and ride down from Bull Run Mountain outside Manassas. That's a cold four-hour ride. He never complained and was always there to put in a long day with the rest
of the crew." But then Russ was about making his shipmates proud and looking good.

In his civilian Pentagon job, Russ worked tirelessly to get as many Navy photos as he could published to tell the Navy story. Russ was extremely proud of both the Navy and "his photographers."

He just wanted to share their fine work with as many people as possible - another way of giving.

It was noted in his civilian performance evaluation, "that Mr. Egnor's ability to make decisions without hesitation makes his one of the most independent and functional divisions in this command. His leadership skills contributes directly to the Navy being on the cutting edge of electronic digital photography.

"Mr. Egnor is truly one of the great national treasures and mainstays of the United States Navy.

In an award he was to receive from the prestigious National Press Photographers Association in July, Russ was being recognized for:

"Leading the way in military digital imaging with the establishment of a worldwide network of Navy photographers based on ships at sea and naval stations capable of receiving images from major military operations 24 hours a day through a vast computer network for instant release."

The Secretary of the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service Award was presented to his mother yesterday. Yet another testimony to Russ' treasured service to the Navy.

He lived life to the fullest and gave generously to all who knew and loved him ... a lesson we all can learn.

Lucille Egnor - better known as Granny - was the Port in the Storm, the safe harbor. To all the family, thank you for sharing Russ with us. --- As he often said:

"I must hurry, for there they go and I am their leader."

Russ, the music was sweet. We shall miss ya. You set high standards for each of us who follow. We are all the richer for having known you!

Farewell shipmate. Good-bye, good friend.


Father: Robert Russell EGNOR b: 31 OCT 1914 in Crab Orchard, Raleigh Co, WV
Mother: Mable Lucille BOWMAN b: 21 MAR 1916 in Crab Orchard, Raleigh Co, WV