Russell McDill Brengelman

Russell McDill Brengelman, 86, beloved husband of Elizabeth (née McMahon) Brengelman, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at UK St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky.

Born June 15, 1939, in Gadsden, Alabama, Russell was the only son of Russell and Jessie (née McDill) Brengelman.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Mark (Kelly, née O’Connell) Brengelman, and grandchildren Jacqueline (Ryan) Johnson, Tessa Brengelman, and Samuel Brengelman. He was preceded in death by another son, Paul David Brengelman, Paul’s stillborn twin James, and Russell’s only sister, Kennett Jean (Charles) Whelchel.

He graduated from Gadsden High School and Auburn University, then earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology. He married Elizabeth over sixty years ago in Atlanta, Georgia.

Russell resided in Morehead for fifty-eight years. Although offered positions in the nuclear industry, Russell felt a calling to the teaching profession after being specifically recruited by Adron Doran, then-president of Morehead State University.

Russell taught for thirty-four years at MSU in physics, radiation protections, engineering education, and other scientific pursuits. He inspired countless students not only with his keen intellect, but also with his amazing ability as a science demonstration to pull a tablecloth from a fully-loaded dining table, and his humorous appearances in the classroom dressed as Albert Einstein.

Along with his wife, he was an active member of the Morehead United Methodist Church; he served with the Wesley Foundation Board, the Morehead United Methodist Men, and attended Adult Sunday School. In his retirement, Russell served on the executive board for the MSU Retirees Association, the MSU Advisory Board for the University of Kentucky’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which included a popular series on modern films. He volunteered with God’s Pantry food bank, and spent many happy hours socializing with his weekly retiree group at the Fuzzy Duck Coffee Shop.

Russell was clearly a combination of left-brain-meets-right brain; not only was he an intellectual in the sciences, he was a gifted artist, created accomplished paintings, and was a regular attendee and benefactor of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra. He was interested in genealogy and particularly World War II history, joining as an associate of the 4th Fighter Group in which his beloved uncle, Thomas K. McDill, was a fighter pilot and American ex-Prisoner of War. Russell’s involvement as a lay chaplain with the reunions of the 4th Fighter Group was an activity he cherished and was able to share and attend with his son, Mark.

Beyond his accomplishments and interests, Russell will be most remembered by his kind spirit and generosity. He was “Russ” to his beautiful wife, “Gramps” to his adoring grandchildren, and “trusted friend” to all he met.

Family and friends are invited to a church service in honor of Russell at Morehead United Methodist Church (227 West Main Street) at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025, with individual greetings with the family starting at 10 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Russell Brengelman’s name to support scholarships for physics students (Cutts Scholarship) at Morehead State University. Checks may be made payable to MSU Foundation and mailed to PO Box 628, Morehead, KY 40351. To give online, visit https://alumni.moreheadstate.edu/brengelman

Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351 is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.northcuttandson.com  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell McDill Brengelman, please visit our floral store.