Dr. William Russell Ries passed away following a brief illness on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Russell was born prematurely on January 30, 1953, in Union City, TN, to Herbert and Marjorie Miller Ries. Weighing only 3 lbs., 3 oz., at birth, Russell was determined to persevere from an early age and always armed with a deep curiosity and passion for learning. A graduate of Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College), Russell went on to study medicine at the UT Center for Health Sciences, completing residencies at Baptist Memorial Hospital (Memphis) and Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago), followed by a fellowship at Tulane University under Dr. Jack R. Anderson. In 1988 Dr. Ries became a founding member of the Department of Otolaryngology of Vanderbilt Medical Center, serving as the first holder of the Carol and John S. Odess Chair in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. At his death, Dr. Ries was Chief of the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service at VUMC.
"Knowing Russell was an authentic privilege," said Roland "Ron" Eavey, MD, SM, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. "His warmth and calm demeanor uplifted everyone he touched. He was an exceptionally skilled facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He grew the service, exemplified legendary teaching skills that inspired many residents to seek careers in his discipline, and initiated a coveted fellowship. He achieved ultimate success, both as an accomplished professional as well as an appreciated human being." Because of his medical expertise and superb ability to communicate, Dr. Ries was invited to share his knowledge in international conferences held in China, Panama, Columbia, Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, and France.
In the arenas of academic medicine at Vanderbilt as well as all other aspects of life, Russell's impact as a teacher, mentor, healer, and friend will be felt for a long time to come. In the words of his colleagues: "Russell's legacy lives on in the many people who were fortunate enough to be his colleagues, trainees, patients, and friends. The history of the Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Department has been written, in part, by Russell and the parts he wrote always came from a place of thoughtfulness and magnanimity. As a humble and talented facial plastic surgeon, Russell made his positive mark on the FPRS community here and abroad. Words cannot fully express how much he will be missed."
Russell delighted those around him with his quiet, yet mischievous, sense of humor and original storytelling, including the creation of "TW," an everyman dragonfly who finds himself in various predicaments. An Eagle Scout, Russell served as chairman of Troop 221 and always lived his life in accordance with the highest virtues of the Scout: He was trustworthy, helpful, friendly, and kind. He set that tone for the boys, who wanted to emulate him as a loving exemplar of all that was good and right with the world. Generous with his time and kind to everyone regardless of their circumstances, Russell participated in many medical missions in Ecuador and operated on the facial wounds of abused women.
A devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Russell was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susie Webb Ries; daughter Katie Ries (Stephen Martin) and grandchildren George and Margaret Martin of Green Bay, WI; son Russell Ries, Jr. (Eleanor Schneider) of Nashville; son Robert "Bud" Ries (Charice Starr) of Knoxville; sisters Pat Ries Hart (Don), Jean Ries; brother Mark Ries; mother-in-law, Julie Webb; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville on Saturday, January 16, at 10:30 AM. Due to the pandemic, in-person attendance will be limited to family and invited friends. The service will be live-streamed and archived. For more information, go to www.christcathedral.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dept. of Otolaryngology (www.VanderbiltHealth.org/giving).
"Knowing Russell was an authentic privilege," said Roland "Ron" Eavey, MD, SM, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. "His warmth and calm demeanor uplifted everyone he touched. He was an exceptionally skilled facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He grew the service, exemplified legendary teaching skills that inspired many residents to seek careers in his discipline, and initiated a coveted fellowship. He achieved ultimate success, both as an accomplished professional as well as an appreciated human being." Because of his medical expertise and superb ability to communicate, Dr. Ries was invited to share his knowledge in international conferences held in China, Panama, Columbia, Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, and France.
In the arenas of academic medicine at Vanderbilt as well as all other aspects of life, Russell's impact as a teacher, mentor, healer, and friend will be felt for a long time to come. In the words of his colleagues: "Russell's legacy lives on in the many people who were fortunate enough to be his colleagues, trainees, patients, and friends. The history of the Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Department has been written, in part, by Russell and the parts he wrote always came from a place of thoughtfulness and magnanimity. As a humble and talented facial plastic surgeon, Russell made his positive mark on the FPRS community here and abroad. Words cannot fully express how much he will be missed."
Russell delighted those around him with his quiet, yet mischievous, sense of humor and original storytelling, including the creation of "TW," an everyman dragonfly who finds himself in various predicaments. An Eagle Scout, Russell served as chairman of Troop 221 and always lived his life in accordance with the highest virtues of the Scout: He was trustworthy, helpful, friendly, and kind. He set that tone for the boys, who wanted to emulate him as a loving exemplar of all that was good and right with the world. Generous with his time and kind to everyone regardless of their circumstances, Russell participated in many medical missions in Ecuador and operated on the facial wounds of abused women.
A devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Russell was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susie Webb Ries; daughter Katie Ries (Stephen Martin) and grandchildren George and Margaret Martin of Green Bay, WI; son Russell Ries, Jr. (Eleanor Schneider) of Nashville; son Robert "Bud" Ries (Charice Starr) of Knoxville; sisters Pat Ries Hart (Don), Jean Ries; brother Mark Ries; mother-in-law, Julie Webb; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville on Saturday, January 16, at 10:30 AM. Due to the pandemic, in-person attendance will be limited to family and invited friends. The service will be live-streamed and archived. For more information, go to www.christcathedral.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dept. of Otolaryngology (www.VanderbiltHealth.org/giving).
Dr. William Russell Ries passed away following a brief illness on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Russell was born prematurely on January 30, 1953, in Union City, TN, to Herbert and Marjorie Miller Ries. Weighing only 3 lbs., 3 oz., at birth, Russell was determined to persevere from an early age and always armed with a deep curiosity and passion for learning. A graduate of Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College), Russell went on to study medicine at the UT Center for Health Sciences, completing residencies at Baptist Memorial Hospital (Memphis) and Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago), followed by a fellowship at Tulane University under Dr. Jack R. Anderson. In 1988 Dr. Ries became a founding member of the Department of Otolaryngology of Vanderbilt Medical Center, serving as the first holder of the Carol and John S. Odess Chair in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. At his death, Dr. Ries was Chief of the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service at VUMC.
"Knowing Russell was an authentic privilege," said Roland "Ron" Eavey, MD, SM, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. "His warmth and calm demeanor uplifted everyone he touched. He was an exceptionally skilled facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He grew the service, exemplified legendary teaching skills that inspired many residents to seek careers in his discipline, and initiated a coveted fellowship. He achieved ultimate success, both as an accomplished professional as well as an appreciated human being." Because of his medical expertise and superb ability to communicate, Dr. Ries was invited to share his knowledge in international conferences held in China, Panama, Columbia, Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, and France.
In the arenas of academic medicine at Vanderbilt as well as all other aspects of life, Russell's impact as a teacher, mentor, healer, and friend will be felt for a long time to come. In the words of his colleagues: "Russell's legacy lives on in the many people who were fortunate enough to be his colleagues, trainees, patients, and friends. The history of the Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Department has been written, in part, by Russell and the parts he wrote always came from a place of thoughtfulness and magnanimity. As a humble and talented facial plastic surgeon, Russell made his positive mark on the FPRS community here and abroad. Words cannot fully express how much he will be missed."
Russell delighted those around him with his quiet, yet mischievous, sense of humor and original storytelling, including the creation of "TW," an everyman dragonfly who finds himself in various predicaments. An Eagle Scout, Russell served as chairman of Troop 221 and always lived his life in accordance with the highest virtues of the Scout: He was trustworthy, helpful, friendly, and kind. He set that tone for the boys, who wanted to emulate him as a loving exemplar of all that was good and right with the world. Generous with his time and kind to everyone regardless of their circumstances, Russell participated in many medical missions in Ecuador and operated on the facial wounds of abused women.
A devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Russell was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susie Webb Ries; daughter Katie Ries (Stephen Martin) and grandchildren George and Margaret Martin of Green Bay, WI; son Russell Ries, Jr. (Eleanor Schneider) of Nashville; son Robert "Bud" Ries (Charice Starr) of Knoxville; sisters Pat Ries Hart (Don), Jean Ries; brother Mark Ries; mother-in-law, Julie Webb; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville on Saturday, January 16, at 10:30 AM. Due to the pandemic, in-person attendance will be limited to family and invited friends. The service will be live-streamed and archived. For more information, go to www.christcathedral.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dept. of Otolaryngology (www.VanderbiltHealth.org/giving).
"Knowing Russell was an authentic privilege," said Roland "Ron" Eavey, MD, SM, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. "His warmth and calm demeanor uplifted everyone he touched. He was an exceptionally skilled facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He grew the service, exemplified legendary teaching skills that inspired many residents to seek careers in his discipline, and initiated a coveted fellowship. He achieved ultimate success, both as an accomplished professional as well as an appreciated human being." Because of his medical expertise and superb ability to communicate, Dr. Ries was invited to share his knowledge in international conferences held in China, Panama, Columbia, Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, and France.
In the arenas of academic medicine at Vanderbilt as well as all other aspects of life, Russell's impact as a teacher, mentor, healer, and friend will be felt for a long time to come. In the words of his colleagues: "Russell's legacy lives on in the many people who were fortunate enough to be his colleagues, trainees, patients, and friends. The history of the Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Department has been written, in part, by Russell and the parts he wrote always came from a place of thoughtfulness and magnanimity. As a humble and talented facial plastic surgeon, Russell made his positive mark on the FPRS community here and abroad. Words cannot fully express how much he will be missed."
Russell delighted those around him with his quiet, yet mischievous, sense of humor and original storytelling, including the creation of "TW," an everyman dragonfly who finds himself in various predicaments. An Eagle Scout, Russell served as chairman of Troop 221 and always lived his life in accordance with the highest virtues of the Scout: He was trustworthy, helpful, friendly, and kind. He set that tone for the boys, who wanted to emulate him as a loving exemplar of all that was good and right with the world. Generous with his time and kind to everyone regardless of their circumstances, Russell participated in many medical missions in Ecuador and operated on the facial wounds of abused women.
A devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Russell was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susie Webb Ries; daughter Katie Ries (Stephen Martin) and grandchildren George and Margaret Martin of Green Bay, WI; son Russell Ries, Jr. (Eleanor Schneider) of Nashville; son Robert "Bud" Ries (Charice Starr) of Knoxville; sisters Pat Ries Hart (Don), Jean Ries; brother Mark Ries; mother-in-law, Julie Webb; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville on Saturday, January 16, at 10:30 AM. Due to the pandemic, in-person attendance will be limited to family and invited friends. The service will be live-streamed and archived. For more information, go to www.christcathedral.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dept. of Otolaryngology (www.VanderbiltHealth.org/giving).
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