Russell "Russ" F. Ingram

Russell "Russ" F. Ingram, 98, of Salem, NH passed away Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, MA.

He was born in Methuen, MA the son of the late Alice (Graichen) and Harold Ingram. Russ was raised in Salem, NH. Russ always pushed himself; during his formative years, he had a newspaper delivery route, raised hundreds of chickens and labored on Turner's Dairy Farm. He graduated from Woodbury High School in 1942. In 1943, he enlisted in the US Amy Air Corps receiving Aviation Cadet Pilot training in Michigan. Upon being honorably discharged from the USAAC in 1945, he enrolled at the University of New Hampshire. After graduating from UNH, he married his high school sweetheart, Roberta "Bobbi" McClary in 1950. Russ had a keen understanding of finance and that skill set would fuel a remarkable career in banking. Russ first accepted a lending position with the US Farmers Home Administration so he and Bobbi moved to Montpelier, VT subsequently advancing to another FmHA office in Lancaster, NH. In 1953, he accepted a junior management position at the Farmers and Traders National Bank in Colebrook where he ultimately rose to become its president. During his banking career, he attended and graduated from Rutgers University School of Banking and was very active in the N.H. Bankers Association (past president). Russ was the quintessential community banker and was very well known and respected Statewide. After retiring from banking in 1990, he and Bobbi moved back to Salem.

Russ and Bobbi always gave back to their community and their generous gifts of time, money and passion have done immeasurable good and inspired others. He was elected to 4 terms as a NH State Representative serving on both the Ways and Means and Public Works Committees. He was on the Board of Directors for the Salem Boys and Girls Club and was inducted into their Board of Governors, he was a member and past Chairman for the Council on Aging, he was a member of the Evening Star Masonic Lodge in Colebrook and a member of the Bektash Shriners Temple in Concord. He was the recipient of the 2012 Ganley award in Salem and the 2013 Enterprise Bank Celebration of Excellence Award.

Their generous donation enabled Salem to build the Russell and Roberta Ingram Senior Center. He and Robert Shaw generously donated to build the Ingram-Shaw Library Annex and Masonic Lodge in Colebrook and he spear headed numerous financial campaigns for the Boys and Girls Club and countless other charities. During his off hours, Russ enjoyed aviation and working with his hands to create things. His hobbies included gardening, carpentry, building grandfather clocks and restoring classic cars.

Russ was always ready to help others and encouraged volunteerism and philanthropy. He was successful because of his financial know-how, leadership ability and passion to bring people together to achieve a common goal. Russ was an inspiration to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

Russ will be deeply missed by his children, Dean Ingram and his wife Suzanne of Laconia, NH, Debra and her husband Dale Ritter of Newburyport, MA and Joan Ingram of Salem, NH; his loving companion, June Anderson of Windham, NH; his 4 grandchildren, Derek Ingram, Rebecca Ingram, Scott Ritter and wife Lauren and Jillian Ritter and husband Ethan Fischer; his 3 great grandchildren, Samuel Ritter, Van and Hadley Fischer and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Roberta "Bobbi" (McClary) Ingram, his sisters, Ruth Kimball and Charlotte Arena.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 24th from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, Oct. 25th at Fellowship Bible Church, 1 Fellowship Way Methuen, MA. Please arrive at church by 10:45 AM. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Russell's name may be made to: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, 3 Geremonty Dr, Salem, NH 03079.

To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com