Final Salute

With loving memories and sadness, the family of Russell Paul (“Russ”) Nystedt, 92, announce his passing, in Albuquerque, New Mexico on November 30, 2024.

Russell, son of Herbert and Davida (Persson) Nystedt, was born September 1, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, and baptized December 25, 1938. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico where he was a four-year letterman in basketball. He entered the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer in 1954, first as a line officer, then in the Civil Engineer Corp, including the Construction Battalions (the “Sea Bees”), serving 30 years. He received a second bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master’s in facilities planning from Princeton.

Russell’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Services Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

He married Marion Patricia (“Pat”) Boyd, from Gallup, New Mexico, on June 11, 1954, in Albuquerque. After retirement in 1984, Russell attended woodworking school in Missoula, Montana, and then he and Pat settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they attended Immanuel Lutheran Church. Russell and Pat enjoyed travelling many times a year to visit their children and grandchildren in Arizona, British Columbia, California, and New Mexico.

Survivors include his spouse, Pat, of Albuquerque; children, Paul of Victoria, B.C., Elizabeth (Richard) Fletcher of Morro Bay, California, Boyd of Albuquerque, and John (Annette) of Flagstaff, Arizona; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Davida; brother Herbert; grandson Nathanael Nystedt, and granddaughter and her husband, Marion and Max Chavez.

The service for Russell will be at 11:00, December 7, 2024, at Grace Lutheran, 7550 Eubank NE, Albuquerque. You may attend online at Grace Lutheran on YouTube. Reception to follow.

Burial will be in the National Cemetery, in Santa Fe, December 9, 2024, at 11:00.
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Published by Albuquerque Journal on Dec. 5, 2024.