Russell Eckerstrom

Russell Eckerstrom 92 of Santa Barbara passed away on Friday June 30 at Valle Verde, where he has resided for the last few years. Russell was born in 1924 to Walter Eckerstrom & Mabel Vallentyne in Minneapolis Minnesota. Moving to Moorhead Minnesota with his parents and sister, Joyce, when young. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1942, and he spent a short time at Moorhead Teachers College before serving with the US Army in the South Pacific during WWII. He attended Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, graduating in the 2nd class of graduates. It was while attending Brooks that he met his future wife, Alma Puttock of Santa Barbara. Russell and Alma were married in January 1949, sharing 64 loving years together. His photography career took them to Oakland, San Francisco and Modesto before returning to Santa Barbara in 1952. Russell started his retail camera career with Western’s Camera at the corner of State and de la Guerra and spent the next 22 years with them. In 1975 he opened his own business, Russ’ Camera. Russ’s hobbies included photography, woodworking, travel and golf. He was an active member of the Channel City Camera Club for many years. After a successful career he retired in 1990 and could often be seen at the Community golf course. Russell is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Aldon Bregante of Santa Barbara, granddaughters and grandson-in-laws Lindsay Bregante Myers and Marc Myers of Portland Oregon, Jaime Bregante and Michael Donovan Maccarone of Santa Barbara. Russell is predeceased by his wife, sister and parents. Time spent with his family was very important to him, and he was so proud of his family, especially his granddaughters. He will be deeply missed. The family would like to thank Assisted Hospice for their care. And a very big thank you to the nurses, aides and staff of Valle Verde for making Russell and his daughter feel like a part of their family. A private memorial will be held at a later date.