Russell Eugene Paglia

On Friday, April 29, 2022, Russell Eugene Paglia, beloved husband and father of two, passed away at the age of 77 from a fall associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Russ was born on December 30, 1944, in Napa, CA to Eugene A. Paglia and Marjorie H. Jacobs. On July 17, 1965, he married Dixie Lee Gray at St. John’s Catholic Church in Napa. They raised a daughter Barbara Ann and son Mark Eugene. As the eldest sibling, Russ was tasked with helping his father keep their family poultry farm operating from a young age. With the notion that joining the teaching brotherhood was better than chicken farming, Russ attended Mont LaSelle Christian Brothers High School until he met his future bride Dixie, after which he transferred and graduated from Napa High School in 1962. Russ started his working career with Hewlett Packard in 1964 as a stock room clerk. Taking advantage of educational and training programs offered by HP, Russ became a mechanist apprentice and eventually a CNC machinist. His aptitude inspired HP to sponsor Russ’ attendance at Santa Clara University School of Engineering. While working full time and raising his family, Russ received his BSME in 1976. After living and working in the heart of the Silicon Valley explosion, the family moved to Oregon in the fall of 1976 and was part of the beginning of the Silicon Forest. He had a long and successful career with Hewlett Packard, including helping to design the mechanical portion of the HP11, one of Hewlett Packard’s most successful products. After leaving Hewlett Packard in 1986, he worked for Intelledex Robotic Automation and was part of the startup Accu-Fab Systems (robotic automation). When Accu-Fab was acquired by ATS Automation, success of these ventures allowed Russ to step away from engineering in 1996 to master fly-fishing and golf. Russ’ passion for sports and the outdoors extended beyond usual retirement pursuits. Amateur motocross riding in California evolved into avid bicycling in Oregon. Russ completed the annual Seattle-to-Portland 100 mile ride in one day on his first try amongst many other riding adventures. On days he was not golfing in LaQuinta, CA or Central Oregon, Russ was an avid canyon hiker and photographer. Russ loved the SF Giants and 49ers as a birthright. There wasn’t a lot to love with OSU sports when he arrived in Corvallis, but Russ supported the Beavers through the hard years and was rewarded with recent success. He was especially excited to be in the stands for Beaver Baseball and the Women’s Basketball team. Russ was an avid reader, fly fisherman, golfer and supporter of Oregon State athletics, especially Women’s basketball and Beaver Baseball. He was a long-time member of the Corvallis Country Club until health issues forced his resignation. Russ is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Dixie, his daughter Barbara Peachey (Brian) of Gresham, Oregon and his son Mark Paglia of Gresham, Oregon; brother Robert M. Paglia (Linda) of Santa Rosa, CA, sister Laura Vink (John) of Penn Valley, CA; as well as his grandchildren Cyol Paglia (Liz), Amanda Sumey (Quinn), Benjamin Peachey and Jaylen Peachey. Russ also had 5 great-grandchildren, Tessa, Konner, Trey, Haiden and Jaxsen in addition to many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Russ will be held at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis, Friday July 29, 2022 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, Russ would be proud to have donations made in his name to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice Home or to OSU Foundation/Our Beaver Nation.

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Russell Eugene Paglia

December 30, 1944 - April 29, 2022