Russell Gwynne "Russ" Gillard

Russell Gwynne Gillard, age 75, passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on July 21, 1950, in Denver, Colorado, he was the second child of David H. and Vera A. Gillard.

Russ graduated from Berlin Heights High School in Ohio in 1968, where he wrestled, played football and baseball, and served as Vice President of his class. He remained deeply connected to the alumni community throughout his life. He went on to attend General Motors Institute, now Kettering University. In 1972, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Cynthia Bruns. The couple began their life together in Flint, Michigan, before moving to Mesa, Arizona, where Russ built a distinguished career at the GM Desert Proving Grounds. While in Arizona, he earned a master’s degree in engineering and industrial management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1994.

A passionate advocate for cancer research, Russ received the St. George National Award from the American Cancer Society for his outstanding contributions. He traveled regularly to Washington, D.C., to lobby for increased funding. He also served as president and founding board member of the Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation, where one of his proudest achievements was helping lead the development of the Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center. An active member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity for more than 50 years, he held various leadership roles within the organization.

Russ lived with purpose and humility, guided by a warm sense of humor and a genuine ability to make everyone feel welcome and included. He embraced life with energy and enthusiasm, whether on the softball field or the golf course. Above all, his proudest accomplishment was his family and his enduring love for Cynthia. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cynthia of Mesa; daughter Kimberly Palen-McBee and her husband Heath of Washington; son Ryan and his wife Tiffany of California; and his beloved grandchildren Sophie, Aleka, and Cullan Palen-McBee, and Paisley and Weston Gillard. He is also survived by his sister Cheryl Steris of Ohio; brothers David and Joan Gillard of Virginia and Doug and Ana Gillard of New York; sisters-in-law Susan and Ron Smith and Sarah and Terry Beck of Ohio; and three nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vera, in 2002, and his father, Dave, in 1981.