Retired Cloquet schools superintendent Russell Smith, 80, passed away on Monday,

Aug. 9, 2021, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Russ was born in Des Moines on July 14, 1941, to Russell Owen Smith and Margaret Hansen Smith. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Iowa Wesleyan College and a master's and specialist degree from Drake University in Des Moines.

He was the principal of Cloquet junior high/middle school for nine years and district superintendent for 20 years. Russ was very active in community organizations and boards: Rotary Club of Cloquet, Cloquet Economic Development, Cloquet Educational Foundation, United Way, Lake Superior Zoo, Minnesota School Boards Association, Bush Fellowship Program for School Superintendents, and Carlton County Historical Society. He was a part owner of the Green Mill Restaurant in Duluth.

He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Russ enjoyed long walks by the river, fishing trips, camping, cruises (especially to Alaska and the Panama Canal) and traveling to Mexico.

Russ is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen Smith; two sons, Russ, Jr. (Kim) and Douglas (Catina); two stepdaughters, Carolyn (Mark) Kassebaum and Allison Ballou; four grandchildren, Kylee and Grace Kassebaum and River and Asher Smith.

Memorials preferred to Lake Superior Zoo, 7210 Fremont Street, Duluth, MN 55807 and Cloquet Educational Foundation, 302 14th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.