In Memory

Russell Garrigus (Supt. 52-76) VIEW PROFILE

Russell Garrigus (Supt. 52-76)

Mr. Garrigus came to Rockville School Administration in 1946 when he moved from East Chicago to become principal of Rockville High School.  He graduated from Indiana State Teachers College and received his master's degree at Indiana University.  In 1952 he became Superintendent of the Rockville Schools.  During his years at RHS he worked diligently for the improvement of our school.  He guided our school toward consolidation, and he was most instrumental in helping to plan and to direct the completion of the school consolidations.  He retired in 1976 after bestowing  nearly 1,500 diplomas upon Rockville High School alumni.  He left us in 1983 following complications with open heart surgery.  We will forever be grateful for his unequaled accomplishments and legacy at RHS. We miss him very much.

 

To him who’s knowledge is of truth,

And yet his virtue is for youth.

He helps the ones who strive a goal,

And helps the ones who seem a foe.

 

Through him we see that life loves youth

And of his dreams of sharing truth.

He honors all who seek to find

A better use for soul and mind.

 

To him we owe our gratitude.

He’s stood for all the things we should,

For all his harvest time will tell.

For all these years he’s served us well.

 

Ronald E. Loney, Rox ‘66



 
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03/14/09 12:03 PM #1    

Linda Frost (Hart) (1965)

We all loved "Russ", especially Carol's friends. We were always made welcome at their home by Russ and Ruth.
Nice guy, good administrator, great dad.
Linda Hart

06/19/09 09:15 AM #2    

Max Higgs (1968)

In March or April of 1966 Russ Garrigus began the teacher's aide positions. I know this because my mother (Violet Thomas) was the first one hired. Russ came to her first because my dad (Glen Thomas - janitor) had just died in Feb. and Russ thought of Mom first since I was young and she would be on my schedule during summers and vacations, and it provided both of us with insurance- Mom thanked Russ many times for this job. Mom stayed at the elementary school until 1981 when she remarried. There's the story of the first.

Submitted by: Nancy Thomas

03/20/10 06:31 PM #3    

Jon Bonomo (1974)

I think some of his gray hair might have came from me.
I was having to walk to school because I kept parking in the teachers spot by the baseball diamond so as punishment I could not drive to school for two weeks. This was not to big a deal since my house was about the same distance from school as the student parking lot. But this left me with no place to keep my stuff. A bunch of us had decided we would go hunting Friday after school maybe even ditch fourth hour.
So I came in the south doors with my shotgun and a box of shells. Almost instantly Mr. Garrigus says hold up there Mr. Bonomo what do you have there? My shot gun. I see that and why would that be? I tell him our plans the car everything except ditching fourth hour. He says I hope you can assure me that thing is empty. I take it out of the case and show him. Very good how about letting me hold onto those shells till after school they will be waiting for you in my office.So much for ditching fourth hour. Seems impossible today when fingernail clippers could get you expelled. Out in the student parking lot were lots of farm pickups almost all had gun racks with guns in them. Nobody ever heard of a shooting in a school.
Mr. Garrigus asked if I might take up fishing so the following Friday I came in with rod and reel in hand he was in the front office so I tapped on the window and held up the rod and reel he smiled and nodded. Little did he know in a week I would be bringing in a BB gun for Physics class a request by Mr. Heber!!

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