RUSSELL BENDER THORSTENBERG, JR.
08/22/1942 - 11/10/2023
Russell Bender Thorstenberg, Jr., was born on the 22nd of August 1949, in Ft. Worth, Texas, and adopted by Russell and Louise Thorstenberg of Houston. He died peacefully in his home Friday, the 10th of November 2023. He was 74 years of age.
Russell grew up in Houston, attended Kinkaid School, graduated from SMU with an MBA, and returned to Houston to work for Big Three Industries for most of his career. He married Katy Archer in 1978 and raised three children, Annette Archer Thorstenberg, Catherine Diane Thorstenberg, and Russell Thorstenberg, III.
Russell’s uniquely sharp, inquisitive mind led him to pursue a broad-range of hobbies including astronomy, photography and computer technology, but his overarching passion which would last a lifetime was flying. From the age of 16 when he received his pilot’s license, Russell would fly solo or copilot with friends across the country, never losing his pure joy of flying.
Russell was always planning special family vacations. From the Badlands to Carlsbad Caverns, from Florida beaches to the California coast, family vacations reflected Russell’s sense of adventure. Several years before his death, Russell found his birth family, including a birth mom, several half siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. They welcomed him with open arms, and he enjoyed a close relationship with them until his death.
Pilot, businessman, man of an eclectic range of hobbies, his family will remember him best as a loving father who shared his interests, time and passions with his children.
Russell, III remembers building a computer from scratch with his Dad. Annette remembers hiking the Grand Canyon with her Dad; and Catherine remembers numerous trips to science museums with her Dad and special visits to Chicago, where she works as a nurse.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Russell during a reception to be held from eleven o’clock in the morning until two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 1st of December, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The family will gather for a private inurnment at Forest Park Westheimer in Houston.
We invite you to visit Mr. Thorstenburg’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis. com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.
Russell Thorstenberg, Jr. leaves his family with beautiful memories and a great sense of gratitude for having him apart of our lives for all these years. He will be dearly missed.