My Dad was his favorite Uncle who steered him through early life. His wife Charleen visit us a few times and Danny his son gave retired with 20 yrs Navy cruised us around San Diego harbor fast! He was a great family man! A inspiration for me to join Air Force. He came out to my plane and said  hello at Guam "Anderson AFB" where we refueled enroute to Bangkok where I got another flight to NKP AFB N. Thailand. Russ grew up and my Dad was his mentor. His wife and Charleen visited my Mom after my father passed in 1957. I was very young when I 1st met Russ and his children. I have several pics of him and Danny. Charlene was a great addition to the Rhodes family. God bless her and their kids. Dick Schauf...Richard G. Schauf

It’s hard to believe it has been a year.  I hope there’s an ocean up there, Russ.  What’s Heaven to a fisherman/diver/boat captain without big water?  You are missed

So sorry to find this obituary. I served in the Air Force with Russell and he was a great Sarge we were in Florida a couple years ago and tried to reach him but the phone numbers kept show not going through so you didn't get a hold of him so sorry for your loss

The Rhode’s and Ahlmark families have been intertwined from the 60’s while stationed Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico where my dad “Swede” and Russ pretty much started their diving adventures.  I started diving then as well but mostly drove the boat and snorkeled above.
Our families were later stationed together once again at Kadena AFB on Okinawa. Swede retired in NC and opened a dive shop and he and Russ stayed in contact and visited each other often. Sad to say that I only made it out on “Bottom Time” once but we had a damn good day of diving. 
His voice and his “unique “ vocabulary will be forever imprinted on my mind.
Sad at you’re passing but happy that you are at peace and kicked back with “Swede” and friends having a good dive in heaven.

We will miss one of the best, one of the first, one of the most productive dive boat Captains in Destin!
If you ever got a spot on the Bottom Time, you were in for a great day! Russ had a book of spots that put a LOT of fish and lobster on the dock! Every trip!!
Later on, after retirement from divin' .... Capt. Russ ran our snorkel boat - the Down Under for a few summers. Thats when we had to teach Russ about "catering to the tourist" - something he had never done! "Russ", we said gently, "you can't tell these people to get the hell off your boat and go kill fish".... after a few trips to the Jetties, he was smiling and clapping for all the first time snorkelers in no time at all!!!
Gunna miss you Capt Russ!!!
your 'ol dive buddies - Anna & Tom - Emerald Coast Scuba

Russ was a great man and good friend.  First met Russ when we were stationed at Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan around 1976.  Russ was a Chief Master Sergeant working with the Base Commander and I worked at the Weather Station.  We used to go diving there and after I retired from the Air Force I hooked up with Russ again in Destin, Florida.  Spent many a good day on board the Bottom Time dive boat and the number of fish and lobster we gathered off shore is legendary.  Those of us familiar with the Bottom Time rules still talk about them.  For example, "If you come up and the boat isn't there, swim north."  Or, "No drinking beer until you put fish in the box."  And of course there was rule number 1 - "Sit down and shut the .... up."  About a week before he passed I called him at the nursing home and he told me if I could "come here at ooh dark thirty and I'll have my bags packed and we can escape this place."  Russ was one of a kind and I will forever be grateful for having known him.  God bless you, Russ and may you rest in peace for all eternity.  Your friend, Joe

He was a man honored in the Air Force Fuels community.  A pathfinder that made the way straight for those of us who came behind him.  As a fellow Strategic Air Command member, I honor the legacy that he built.

What a great man, I met him in 1986 and for years he taught my friends and I about diving in the Gulf of Mexico.  The relationships that came along with knowing him have been tremendous.  He made us feel like family and we claimed him and his family as ours.
He will be missed greatly.
Rest well Captain Russ, thank you for the memories.

Chief

What a Great man. I will always cherish the stories you shared from the good ole days in POL.  

You were such a gruff, kind hearted, caring man.  
Thank you for being so giving of yourself. 
Charleen you are in my prayers. 

Catch the big one now Chief.  See you someday. 

OBITUARY

Russell George Rhodes

July 26, 1931 – December 12, 2020

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