My friend Alan Russell was a man who could have been many things and would have been better at them than most, but instead he chose a quiet life. He became a skilled painter, decorator and general builder – one who did not drink tea. He was loved by his clients and leaves a legacy of beautiful rooms, buildings and gardens. Alan has died aged 56, having taken his own life.
He was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to Michael Russell, a vet, and Margaret (nee Gordon), a primary school teacher, and grew up with his sister, Helen, and their dog, Bonnie.
Alan and I met at school, aged nine – he excelled academically and frustrated me with how good at every sport he was. We discovered the world together – first as cubs and scouts, then as members of a sea scout troop about as far from the sea as you can get. We kayaked, cycled, camped out and sailed. Alan enjoyed making music – he could play the piano and turn his hand to bass guitar – but following bands was his passion, and in particular his teenage crush on REM became a lifelong commitment.
At the start of Alan’s sixth form years at Bingley grammar school, his dad died suddenly. He pushed on and secured a place at King’s College London to study law. But he had always had an interest in science and soon converted to chemistry. When Alan’s mum died in his second year, life was hard, but support from family and friends helped him complete his degree.
After graduation, he stayed on in London, and tried his hand at sound engineering. Then he worked for a while in the travel industry – guiding groups to see gorillas in Uganda and leading treks across the Atlas mountains, and producing some amazing artwork, drawing what he saw along the way.
In 1990, he met Amanda Phillips, a nurse at King’s College hospital. They married in 1996 and settled in Harrogate, where he set up as a builder and decorator, and where their two daughters, India and Connie, were born. Alan adored his girls more than anything.
He loved running and cycling – not just pleasant trips in the Dales, but endurance rides and long-distance challenges. The only time he ever appeared stressed was watching his beloved England rugby team.
A quiet, dignified, humble man, Alan seldom let how he was feeling show, but his strength of character and integrity shone through. He hated technology, and was never on social media, but a TikTok video posted by Connie showed in a few images how warm, kind and funny he was.
He is survived by Amanda, India and Connie, and Helen.
