RIP RICHARD RUSSELL

It’s weird sometimes how curiosity leads to understanding. I started reading John Mauldin’s weekly newsletter in 2002. He referenced the writings of Richard Russell in one of his letters. He wrote a daily subscription newsletter, but I found a number of his articles for free and was immediately impressed by his reasoning and logic. I subscribed to his Dow Theory Letter and read his thoughts every day. His sound arguments for owning gold convinced me to invest in gold stocks, gold mutual funds, physical gold, and upon its issuance GLD. This was 2004, so I enjoyed excellent returns over the next seven or eight years.

I stopped paying for his newsletter in the late summer of 2008. It was clear to me we were about to experience an economic meltdown and he came out with a huge BUY recommendation just before the September 2008 collapse. I lost faith in his advice. Nobody’s perfect, but I don’t need to pay for bad advice.

I still think he was a brilliant analyst and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. I had never heard the name Ron Paul until Richard mentioned him as the one decent politician in Congress. I started reading the writings of Ron Paul and became convinced he was the only person in Washington DC who had the right solutions for the country. I became a huge supporter of his 2008 bid for the GOP nomination. My outrage at how he was scorned and ridiculed by the neo-con GOP establishment and their media mouthpieces at Fox News, led to me to write the first article of my life – Why We Need Ron Paul – which was kindly published by Lew Rockwell.

So, in a way, Richard Russell is responsible for this website. Thank you Richard, and rest in peace. You left at the right time. 

From Richard Russell’s Family

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Richard Lion Russell on Saturday, November 21. Richard had gone to the hospital a week earlier with abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with blood clots in the leg and lungs and other untreatable ailments, but was able to return home under hospice care. He spent his last days surrounded by family and visited by close friends.

Richard had struggled for years with a terrible fear of dying, and held on for many days. We had a remarkable family bonding experience as we held a vigil at his bedside. We had a lot of time together to express our great love to him, speak to him from our hearts, both individually and collectively, and do a lot of crying and loving touch. We played soothing music and burned his favorite incense. He was not able to talk for the last few days but would respond by a look or a squeeze of the hand. We tried to clear any pain or judgments between him and us with divine forgiveness. We knew that Richard forgave us; he was such a forgiving man.

His children Daria, Betsy, Ryan and Lauren were there, plus spouses Mike and Taylor, second wife Paula, and grandsons Nick and Jake. His other grandchildren, Duke, Vinnie and Nina were out of the country, but communicated by letter and phone. His first wife, Connie, had been living with him, and checked on him frequently. Richard was visited by former wife Faye and a number of close friends. Many others, including his beloved sister Kate, communicated by phone and text.

His caretakers, Edith, Robin, Sharon and Monica were heroically devoted to him. We have such admiration for their professional and nurturing care. They cared for him with infinite patience, good humor and affection for many years.

Richard wrote for Dow Theory Letters almost every day of his adult life, mailing the letter out faithfully every ten days to three weeks beginning in 1958. In 1991 Dow Theory Letters began publishing online, which allowed Richard to write daily. This he did until about a week before his passing. Dow Theory Letters was the longest investment letter in the industry continuously written by the same person.

Richard had a great love for and devotion to his subscribers, and shared his personal journey with them. He was always intensely interested in psychology, emotional health and the brain, and participated in psychotherapy from early adulthood.

Richard’s life took a spiritual turn after the end of his third marriage. He became obsessed with the work of Louise Hay, and listened to many of her CDs over and over. “Loving oneself” became a topic of great interest for him. Then his attention turned to Emmet Fox, a great spiritual teacher from the period of his youth. He read many of Emmet Fox’s books, and Emmet Fox’s Golden Keys to Successful Living by Herman Wolhorn became his bible.

As he grew older, Richard’s World War II service became increasingly important to him. He wrote memorable stories about his war experiences that many subscribers loved, and at times Richard enjoyed being wheeled around La Jolla wearing his World War II Veteran hat, and receiving thanks for his service from many that he passed.

We all prayed for Richard to have a peaceful passing. We are confident that with all the spiritual work he did in the last few years, he had a joyful transition to the world of love and peace of mind that he so diligently sought, and endeavored to share with his beloved subscribers.

Some of Richard’s subscribers feel more like pen pals, because many of you have poured out your hearts to Richard through emails or letters from time to time, or given feedback or advice. We have been honored to receive these communications, and Richard was always grateful to read them. We have an amazingly distinguished group of subscribers with wisdom and expertise in so many fields.

Dow Theory Letters was anticipating Richard’s retirement, and a transition plan had been underway for several months under Richard’s direction. We will update you with more details tomorrow. Your subscription will continue uninterrupted.

We are also in the process of creating an online memorial where subscribers and others may reminisce about Richard Russell, Dow Theory Letters, or their own lives, or offer condolences. Details will be forthcoming.

If you have any questions, we are here to help. Please email your phone number to [email protected] and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Blessings to all of our cherished subscribers –

The Russell Family