Birth date: Aug 25, 1941 Death date: Apr 2, 2015
Dr. Russell Chesney, 73, died on Thursday, April 2, in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Chesney was the longtime chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a pediatric nephrologist at Le Read Obituary
I am saddened by the death of Dr. Russell. He was a wonderful person who contributed significantly to the medical work and to society in general. He will be missed by all who shared in his life. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Joan and their children.
Russ Chesney was a vital member of the academic pediatric community’s Public(now Pediatric) Policy Council for 16 years from 1994 to 2010, representing the Association of Medical School Department Chairs. In this capacity he was a passionate advocate for research to better understand and provide improved treatments for childhood illnesses and to better the lives of afflicted children. He shared this passion with all he came in contact with – his colleagues, both senior and junior, families, and policymakers at all levels of government. His voice will be missed.Myron Genel, MD Past Chair, Pediatric Policy Council
“This is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that was ever gathered together at the White House with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone”John Kennedy, at a dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners of the Western Hemisphere, 1963Because I don’t have anything close to Russell’s amazing store of knowledge (no one does) I had to look this up to be sure I got it right. This quote always reminds me of Russell, and what an honor and pleasure it was to know him. His wife, Joan, was a dear friend of mine as an undergraduate and I met him through her. It didn’t matter that I knew nothing about his specialty or medicine beyond that of a lay person, as everyone else noted, he could talk to anyone about anything and would know more about it than anyone else, although he was tactful about it.The last couple years Russell and Joan held a mini-reunion at their home in New Hampshire for Joan’s college friends and spouses. Russell was such a gracious host, but he was also our Google. He had absolutely no short term memory loss, despite how much was crammed in there, and during that dreaded pause when one of us frantically searched for something we knew we knew, he always, always supplied the missing word.The world has lost the most extraordinary person I ever knew, and my heart and best thoughts go out to Joan and her family.Jane Krebs
Deepest sympathy to you Joan and your family. Russ was a giant in academic Pediatrics for the last quarter century. A brilliant physician but very down to earth and a caring individual. He will be sorely missed by his Tennessee pediatric colleagues.Dave Kalwinsky
I met Russell many years ago in Toronto when he was training with Dr. Charlie Scriver in Montreal. He impressed me as a young fellow in training and I watched his career flourish through the years. In meetings his presence was bigger than life. We in the pediatric nephrology community will always miss him. Bill Balfe MD , Big Canoe GA.
I first met Russell when he was to begin a term as Secretary-Treasurer of AMSPDC in 1993 and he came to the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) in Chapel Hill to meet with Mike Simmons and me. I was amazed at the bundle of energy he exhibited. That was the beginning of a long professional relationship with him and one that was never dull. Russell always had solutions for any issues. I enjoyed working with him while I was involved with AMSPDC and in his working relationship with the ABP. He was always pleasant and witty. Pediatrics will miss him. Jean Bartholomew
California Healthy was purchased for the family of Russell Wallace Chesney.
Russ was my chairman, mentor and friend. Pediatric Nephrology lost one of its giants yesterday. As someone whose clinical and research interests are in mineral metabolism, I look upon him as one of the true pioneers. He inspired so many young physicians and will be greatly missed by so many. Chuck McKay, UT faculty member 1986-1992
He was a great physician& teacher and will be missed. John White, MD, UT med school grad ’97.
Very sorry to hear about Russell’s passing. One of the brightest men I have ever encountered. He was a very kind and caring person who had a great sense of humor. He will be missed.Bryan Williams
