Walter Russell Van Camp

February 10, 1947 - October 25, 2018

Walter Russell Van Camp Obituary (Age 71) Walter Russell Van Camp peacefully passed away on October 25, 2018 surrounded by family after an extended illness. Russell was born on February 10, 1947 in Durango, Colorado to Raymond and Dorothy Van Camp. After graduating from Kirtland Central High School in New Mexico, he attended Western State at Gunnison, Colorado on a football scholarship as an offensive tackle. After a year teaching at the American high school in Bangkok, and reuniting with family stationed there, he moved to Spokane and graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1973. He married his first wife, Cheryl, in 1972, and they had three beautiful daughters. He went into business with Don Shaw and Irv Bennion in 1974 and eventually opened the very successful Van Camp and Bennion Law offices. Russell was known for his high profile cases in Spokane that included Christina Lubben, Baby Ryan Nguyen, and many pro bono pro-life cases for individuals and groups around the United States. During his pro-life work he met his current wife, Teresa, and they married at Mt. Charleston, Nevada in 1993. They just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this September 12th. Russell?s many hobbies and passions included flying his Cessna over the Canadian Rockies, extracting honey from his backyard bee hives, and renovating classic cars. As a member of the Rose Society, he became a rose judge and tenderly cared for roses in his yard. A man of all seasons, (sports seasons that is), he had his truck painted to honor the Spokane Chiefs, took his Pink Pig BBQ to serve the Indians baseball team, and traveled many times to see the Seattle Mariners. Being a Seahawks fan wasn?t easy with his grandson Steven being a Broncos guy and one of his caregivers. Cooking also was integral to Russell?s enjoyment of life and when he made his Tunnel of Fudge cake or his divinity, lots of visitors would show up. For 18 years, Russ and his wife, Teri, celebrated their annual luau and even had a pig roasting pit installed by their pool. They really knew how to throw a party. Paco, Russell?s beloved Havanese, was by his side up to the end, but his grandchildren brought him his greatest joy. His faith in Christ was displayed by his actions. He considered the children of many refugee families he and Teri helped throughout the years, from Russia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Rwanda and Congo, as his own, and especially Michael, Boris, Alex, Jhiliman, Anone, Geneveva, Andereya, and Jonas, and they loved him in return. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Teresa; his daughters, Allison, Vera (Johnny), Clysta (Dana), and Sara; his sisters, Betsy and April (Manuel); and brother, Kelley (Karen). He is also survived by his step-children, Danya (Ron), Ricky (Michele) and Tami (Steve); and his many grandchildren, Mariah, Xavier, Johnny, Kenny (Sterling), Savannah, Jerry, Stacey, Jason, Alicia, Lilly, Paige, Tommy, Amanda, Dillon, Casey, Jesse (Liz), Christa, Michaela (Tim), Steven, Selena, Spencer; great-grandsons, Josiah and Cayden; and great-granddaughter, Hannah. A Celebration of Life memorial will be held on Saturday, November 17th at 1:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home.