Don Russell
Don Russell passed away peacefully on 24 January 2026 in Whitehorse, Yukon, at the age of 78, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in 1947 in New Westminster, British Columbia, to Irma and Charlie Russell, Don and his three brothers were raised in Haney, BC. He graduated in 1966 from Garibaldi High School where he was president of the student council and awarded “Garibaldi Boy” for best all around student; something he loved to remind his kids of!
After high school, Don took a year off to travel the world, returning to obtain his BSc in Forestry Wildlife Management from UBC in 1972, where he met and fell in love with his Biology lab partner, Sharon McHale. He completed a Masters degree on computer simulation of Caribou Energetics after field work on the Central Arctic caribou herd in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Don and Sharon married in 1973, working two years for the BC Fish and Wildlife Service in Knight Inlet and the Williams Lake area, before moving north where Don became the Habitat Biologist for the Yukon Government in 1976.
He made Whitehorse his home and passionately built his career as a caribou biologist, working for the Yukon Government, and later the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment Canada), dedicating much of his life’s work to researching the Porcupine Caribou Herd. His efforts led to numerous awards and international recognition, and he deeply valued the collaborations created with colleagues, many of which spanned across the globe and were lifelong. He was a co-founder of CARMA, the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network, bringing together scientists, managers, and community members who have a common interest in the survival of northern caribou herds. He was deeply honoured to be the recipient of Canada’s 2004 Northern Science Award, and was so pleased to hear the Porcupine Caribou Management Board established The Don Russell Caribou Conservation Award in his honour, which will be awarded annually to students continuing work on caribou research in the north.
His commitment to caribou conservation across the Canadian North and to the challenges of northern development and climate change never waned — he continued working on national and international caribou conservation issues until the final days of his life, driven by curiosity, deep commitment to the sustainability of the circumarctic caribou herds, and an unwavering love of all that is wild. He shared his considerable knowledge and experience openly and humbly, mentoring many and treating others respectfully and as equals, and bringing together Indigenous groups, researchers, and resource managers to work cooperatively on caribou management initiatives in the North.
Don was a devoted, kind, funny and beloved brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, leader, and friend. He loved to work hard, laugh, play cards, host Sunday family dinners and generally be a bit of a rascal, delighting in humour and connectedness with those around him. When his four children were young, Don spent countless hours on soccer fields as a coach, generously giving his time and encouragement to young players and leaving a lasting impression on many. As a grandfather, his teasing, loving manner led to remarkable connections with all his grandchildren.
Don enjoyed moose hunting, skiing, running a few road relays, hiking, birding, backpacking, paddling and freighter canoe trips, and many years of White Pass blueberry picking and getting firewood in. He deeply loved the music of Leonard Cohen and was known to occasionally break out singing a few verses of many favourite Cohen songs. Lately, his daily early morning Wordle and Connections exchanges with a beloved friend gave him great joy.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sharon, his children Kyle (Jane), Aubyn, Dylan (Sheri), and Kelsey (Calef), his grandchildren Barrett, Bowen, Freya, Mackie, Kit, Isolde, and Sadie. Don’s jesting conversations and competitive card-playing spirit will be deeply missed by his brothers Ray (Donna), Jim (Tamara), and Tom (Laurie). Don was a beloved uncle to seven nieces and seven nephews and was very loved by his brothers-in-law Dan (Heidi) and Larry (Linda) and sister-in-law Lynn (Bill). Don was predeceased by his parents, Irma and Charlie Russell. Don had many wonderful friendships throughout his life, but family friend Georgia (Cari) and their children Wylla and Oscar, were family to him as well.
Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robin Jamieson for her care and openness, to Dr. Alex Kmet for his patience and gentle nature, and to the wonderful nurses in the Cancer Care Unit: Hillary, Jen, Becca and Carrie — you gave Don such joyous care. We gained a deep appreciation of the team efforts given by staff of the Whitehorse General Hospital through the many times when we needed them.
To Wind River Hospice House, our deepest gratitude for giving such comfort, kindness and care to Don, and all his family. Your honour quilt procession with our family and all the Hospice staff was beautiful and deeply moving.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, 8 August 2026 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to a cause supporting caribou conservation.
Don will be deeply missed and memories of him cherished forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” – Leonard Cohen
