Albert Einstein is considered the most influential physicist of the 20^th century.

Many of you already know that our father – whom we’re celebrating today – also was an important 20^th century physicist. He shared Einstein’s genius IQ, passion for inquiry; and fascination with the wonders of the universe.

What you may not know is that he also was closely connected to Albert Einstein in life, contributing to Einstein’s theory of relativity.

So, I thought it would appropriate to honor our father today, using his hero’s words.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein

Our father redefined both success and value when he was a systems analyst at the aerospace division of General Electric, now Lockheed Martin.

At GE, he was part of an elite team of scientists who were given the highest Top Secret Government clearance a civilian could receive. He designed software code that directed US spy satellites over new paths and helped keep our country secure.

As a result, our father lived a life that was a bit Cloak and Dagger. He traveled frequently – mostly to the US Pentagon and Lockheed Skunk Works in Southern California. While most of us carry a normal briefcase, his was a bit out of the ordinary – in that it carried government secrets and was handcuffed to his wrist. He also traveled with an escort who was with him at all times, even in the bathroom. That was a valuable briefcase, after all. On trips, he could not share the location details with our mom or provide a direct contact phone number.

Our father was the first person in his program to present at the Pentagon and receive a standing ovation. They were thrilled to have a PhD astrophysicist explain the science in a way that was understandable – and served with a dash of wit and personality.

Many of the projects he worked on are still classified. One – called Project Hexagon – became declassified in 2011. We then learned that our father was one of a team of GE employees President Ronald Reagan honored in 1984.

Today, we join the former President in honoring a brilliant man and a true hero.

“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” – Albert Einstein 

In October of 1982 – two years before he would receive Presidential recognition – our father’s world crashed.

As you know, he suffered an aneurysm that left him permanently brain damaged. He was only 42 years old and in the prime of his career. He lost so much: his career trajectory, intellectual identity, independence, and many friends. The loss is so intense it is almost impossible to properly articulate.

Immediately following the aneurysm, our father believed he was four years old and could not recognize his family. The doctors told us his brain damage was so extensive, it would be a miracle if he could walk and talk again.

Talk about limits!

But, our father willingly accepted these limits and the next chapter in his life. While his recovery took years — and was not a full one — he exceeded the best predictions of the country’s top neurosurgeons.

You would think anyone who suffered such a tragic loss would be bitter, but our father continued to embrace life with his passion and intellectual curiosity.

In fact, two family members individually commented this week that they never – not once – heard him complain.

Our father achieved more before his aneurysm than most people will in an entire lifetime. Think about some of the accomplishments I briefly listed today:

• Genius IQ
• PhD in Astrophysics
• Contribution to one of the most famous theories in Science
• Presidential recognition

But, to his family, the resiliency and strength of character he demonstrated following the aneurysm became his greatest successes.

This was always an inspiration for me. Whenever I would go through tough times, I would remind myself that everything is relative. To gain perspective, I would list everything I still enjoyed in my life and remind myself that my worst day was still better than my father’s best.

But, now I realize that I was projecting a limited attitude toward my father’s life. And, how much more I had to learn from him.

Because he viewed every day as a good day.

He – who had everything at one point and then lost so much – did not look back. He only saw what he currently had.

And, he appreciated everything

He was brain damaged and as such, endured incredible limits, but he made me realize, I was more limited in my viewpoint.

I’m sure I’m not alone. We all have a lot we can learn from his example.

“The important thing is to not stop to questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” – Albert Einstein

When our father was 10 years old, he got into an argument with his local librarian who tried to prevent him from checking out an adult physics text book. He identified, at that young age, his passion for understanding the mysteries of the universe. He was determined to uncover the answers. Clearly, that librarian did not stand a chance. Our father left with his desired book in hand.

If you spent any time with our father over the last few years, you know that – like that local librarian – his disability did nothing to stifle his intellectual curiosity. He spent his days reading the Bible, religious works, scientific journals and news articles. In conversation, he was eager to hear your thoughts regarding eternity, religious mysteries, and our place in the universe.

Despite his best efforts, he never fully unlocked the mysteries of the universe. I’m sure he is now thrilled to finally have all of the answers. I picture him and Albert Einstein having passionate intellectual discussions about these topics –  and our father very respectfully thinking:

“Finally, a conversation with an equal.”

“Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me. That means nothing. People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” – Albert Einstein

He is still with us. He’ll always be with us.

And, that’s a comforting message. But, like any relationship, it’s two-way, and with it, comes responsibility. He shined his greatness on us, and in return, we must honor his legacy.

Here’s how I believe he would want us to do that.

• First, we must celebrate his life. Our father embraced each day with passion, joy, and intellectual curiosity. He was alive and present right up until the point he wasn’t. The best way to honor Mike Russo is to celebrate his life in the same way he lived it.

• We must learn from his life. He was the world’s best teacher. To know Mike Russo is to want to be a better person. Please keep his memory alive by extending his inspiration to others.

• If you learned anything from my words today, it is that many aspects of our father’s personality remained intact following his brain injury. Many of you recognized this fact. You saw the person, not the disability, and you treated him as such. On behalf of my father, I thank you. It meant more to him than you’ll ever know. Many more of us will encounter disabled people on our life’s journey. Please take this lesson to heart – and look beyond the disability. Even if your encounter with someone is only five minutes, you will make a lasting impact on his or her life.

Finally, on behalf of our family, including our father, I want to thank our mother with this last Albert Einstein quote:

“Love is a better master than duty.” – Albert Einstein

For the last 33 years, our mother has been the living, loving embodiment of this message. She has been everything you would want in a wife and caretaker. Our parents were married for nearly 50 years, and our father remained madly in love with our mom for every one of them. Our parents provided a wonderful relationship model for myself and my sisters.

For the last two years, our father’s heart barely functioned, but it was a combination of her care and his passion for life that kept him alive. Their love story is one for the books, and it is a true inspiration.

Thank you very much for coming to honor our father, and thank you for listening to these words.

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