Bertram W. Russick Obituary (1921 - 2012)

Bertram Russick, age 90, New Hope, MN, formerly Minneapolis passed away on January 26, 2012. Originally from Des Moines, Bert left Iowa when he joined the Army Air Corp to serve as a Navigator/Bombardier aboard a B-25 bomber. Bert flew 37 combat missions in the South Pacific theater. Following his military service he received a bachelors’ degree in Marketing Research from USC. Bert moved to Minneapolis after graduation, where he began his career with M&O Paper and then General Mills. His career was interrupted briefly by the Korean conflict. Bert returned to Minneapolis and, in 1953, became the owner and President of Mid-Continent Surveys. Under Russick’s leadership, Mid-Continent became one of the premier and prominent research firms in the Midwest. Mid-Continent provided polling information that was featured regularly on WCCO-TV news from the 1960’s through the 80’s and had a large business clientele, including companies such as Tonka Toys, Litton Microwave, General Mills, Toro and Cross Pens. Bert was active in the community too, serving as chairman of the Better Business Bureau, President of the Minnesota Chapter of AMA and Director of the Advertising Club. While managing Mid-Continent, Russick received a Masters degree in Consumer Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Bert shared his interest in consumer behavior as a member of the teaching faculty at the U of M, Concordia College and the University of St. Thomas. Following the onset of some health issues in the mid-1980s, Russick sold Mid-Continent to Webb Publishing and launched a second phase of his career, conducting market research used in intellectual properly litigation throughout the U.S. One of his specialties was trademark confusion. Bert continued teaching and conducting research well into his seventies, finally retiring in 2000. Russick was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Harriet Russick. He is survived by his children Betsy (David) Abramson, Connie Ryan (Verne Meeds ) and Bert Russick, Jr. (Amy Rey) as well as five grandchildren; Allison and Marcy Ryan, Michael Abramson, Carrie (Barak) Steenlage and Isaac Rey-Russick. Memorial services will be held at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Ave, on MONDAY February 6th at 11:30 AM. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Refreshments will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to the DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, JFCS, 13100 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 400, Minnetonka, MN 55305 or the charity of your choice. SHIVA 7 P.M., Monday, Feb. 6th, at 2815 Huntington Ave, St. Louis Park.