Remembering Bob Russell
Robert H. Russell, Jr. — WLT Trustee Emeritus
When Bob Russell passed away on June 18, 2022, Wilton lost an esteemed and revered citizen. Bob served for decades in key fiduciary and leadership roles for Wilton Land Trust, as well as for the Wilton Library and the Wilton Historical Society. He also served on the Town government, the Board of Finance, and as First Selectman from 1993 to 1999.
Central to Bob’s devotion to the Wilton community was his love of the town’s rural and agrarian history and character. It was in the late 1990s, as First Selectman, that Bob led the way, on the Town’s behalf, for the preservation of more open space in Wilton than has ever been achieved before or since. Against the backdrop of the 1990s, when increasing concern that commercial and residential development were eroding the Town’s rural character, Bob convened a Land Advisory Committee of concerned citizens.
Robert Russel, Trustee Emeritus, with David McCarthy, former Executive Director, outside of the Daniele Offutt Barn at Chestnut Meadows.
He worked with this Committee, his fellow Selectmen, Town Counsel, and The Nature Conservancy, and through the publication, financing, and Town meeting approval processes. The result was a Town investment of more than $7,000,000 to acquire outright or protect by Conservation Easement the beautiful properties owned by the Sackett, Black, and Belknap families, the acreage adjacent to the Wilton Railroad Station (now the site of the Teen Center), the Ambler Farm, and Millstone Farm.
Long after his retirement as first Selectman in 1999, Bob served as a Trustee and continued his efforts to preserve and protect our open spaces. He and Carol gave so generously of their time and talent and treasure to WLT. Bob’s gifts and legacy will never be forgotten.
Wilton Land Trust is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving open space in Wilton. Formed in 1964 by Wilton residents Morris Earle, Augustus W. Merwin, Lawrason Riggs III, and George W.D. Symonds, the Land Trust’s founders anticipated the adverse impacts of population growth and housing development on the town’s natural resources and wildlife habitats.
Over the years, the Land Trust has been fortunate to have many passionate and generous members who have worked to advance our mission. Robert was a Trustee who had an extraordinary impact and an exceptional hand in advancing our mission.