Long remembered as hard worker, would lend a hand

Mystery remains around death of local logger, family and friends recall ‘sensitive soul’
 
Russell Long, of Walnut Grove, who was last seen by his family on March 31 and reported missing on
April 6, was found deceased on Friday, June 4.
With the question of Long’s whereabouts finally answered, his sister, Kassandra Niemeier, reflected on
the sort of man her brother was in life. One quality he had, she said, was a superior work ethic.
“Russell was one of the hardest workers I know,” she said. “Loved to be outside, strong, tough, and didn't
mind getting his hands dirty. (The) kind of guy that didn't stop until the work was done.”
David Guy, owner of Guy’s Logging, where Long worked as a feller (a kind of lumberjack) for 10 years,
said Russell caught on to new things quickly and was a highly skilled in his trade.
“Russell was a fast learner,” he said. “I’ve known Russell for close to 20 years, and he’s been in the
timber business for as long as I’ve known him. He worked for other loggers prior to coming to work with
us. He honed his feller skills over the years and was one of the best fellers in the area.”
In addition to his work ethic, Niemeier said, Long was also known for his compassion. She said he would
help anyone in need, even if he didn’t really like the person.
“He might grumble about it later, but he'd still help,” she said. “Since he went missing so many people
have told us of small deeds that he had done that helped them in their daily lives.”
Guy shared a memory of when Long had helped him out.
“Russell helped me out one time when he overhead my wife talking about our gutters needing cleaned
out,” he said. “Russell knew I didn’t like heights and my house has a second story. Russell said he could
do it as he had no fear of heights. He helped with the cleaning out of our gutters for years after that. He
would also be the first one to shimmy up a tree in the woods if there was a limb that needed cut before
falling a tree.”
Niemeier said Long might’ve seemed tough on the outside, but was really a “sensitive soul.”
“Russell was unique, because although he had this tough exterior, he was a very sweet and thoughtful
man,” she said. “Russell was definitely a mama's boy and loved her dearly. Through his career as a
logger, he'd often find baby animals like fawns and would send me snapshots of them. Russell would
gather things in nature that resembled faces or animals and bring them home for us all to see.”
Now that he’s gone, Niemeier said she hopes her brother will be remembered as the special man he
was.
“I prefer people to remember Russell telling a good joke on a hot sunny day with a cigarette in his hand.
Ball cap with sunglasses on, ripped shirt sleeves, and that ornery sense of humor, glint in his eye,
laughing at his own joke,” she said. “I want them to remember him tossing coins out while the kids were
metal detecting so they'd find something or how he could fell a tree as big as a house! I want them to
remember him treating his dog like his kid, (and) I definitely want them to remember he was special, he
was my brother, and I'm proud of him.”
Niemeier said she is still learning to cope with the knowledge that her brother is no longer in this world.
“I still talk to Russell even though he isn't here,” she said. “Lately, I've been questioning why; so far, no
answer. If he were here in front of me, I'd hug him and tell him that I love him. I'd tell him that I'm sorry
we didn't get to spend more time together, and that I wish I'd picked up the phone on the first ring every
time he called. I would also tell him to enjoy heaven and tell everyone we love there that I say hello.”
Niemeier also said she believes anyone who is responsible for Long’s death will be held accountable.
“Even if I don't know the answers, I serve a God who has given me a risen savior in Christ Jesus,” she
said. “He knows all and has seen all. Whoever did this cannot hide from the almighty. I take rest and
comfort that our Heavenly Father will avenge my brother.”