In Loving Memory of

Russell F. Prina

3/13/1937 – 11/30/2025

Russell F. Prina passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany Crouse (David); his son, Josh Prina (Colleen); four grandchildren, Andrew Crouse, Tristin Ruggles (Drew), Kiley and Cole Prina, as well as two great-grandchildren, Parker and Remy Ruggles; his sister, Mary Case (Ed); step-sister, Laura Payne (Roger) and step-brother Dan Flemming (Holly).

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Margaret J. Prina (2022); his mother, Marjorie Reed (1990); father, Grant N. Prina Sr., (1977); brother, Grant Prina Jr. (1985) and by his sister, Martha Pruitt (2022).

Russ was born March 13, 1937 in San Antonio, TX, the 2nd child to Grant and Marjorie Prina. His father was a surveyor; he was raised in Texas, California and Arizona.  Russ honorably served in the USAF (where he was trained as a radio technician) from 1954-1958, then returned to Albuquerque. He started working for Mountain Bell Telephone Co., collecting nickels from pay phones when he met and later married Margaret. With their 2 children, Tiffany and Josh, they moved between New Mexico, Colorado and Utah with his job, before settling back in Albuquerque in 1979.  He retired from Qwest after 33 years, as District Manager for Information Systems.

He was a member of the Corvette Club of America, the Rocky Mountain RC Airplane club and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). In his early years, he was a part owner in a Hodaka motorcycle dealership (Abq) and a used car dealership (SLC). He enjoyed motorcycle racing and riding, rode on many cross-country motorcycle trips and built and flew his own small aircraft.  He attended and volunteered at the EAA Airshow in Oshkosh Wisconsin for 30+ years and participated in the EAA Young Eagles program.

Russ was a master with his hands; there was nothing he couldn't build or fix, including his own home in Albuquerque. He would patiently study a problem, then build, weld or invent what he needed to fix it.  He loved anything with an engine (motorcycles, cars, boats, airplanes)! Russ was a natural risk-taker and thrived on living boldly and trusting his instincts. He had a strong moral compass and lived with great integrity. He was a wonderful father, provider, teacher, mentor and friend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/newmexico , or to Ambercare Hospice of Albuquerque, https://ambercare.com/?s=donate .

A Celebration of Life will be held at Tramway Plaza, 9600 Tennyson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122, on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 12:30pm.