Russell V. Lucas Jr., M.D., age 73, Professor of Pediatrics and former director of Pediactric Cardiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, died at home on December 12, 2001 at the conclusion of a long life dedicated to God, his wife, Pat, and his family. Dr. Lucas was an internationally acknowledged authority in the diagnosis and treatment of Congenital Cardiovascular Disease. He led one of the most successful pediatric cardiology training programs in the United States. The pediatricians, pediatric and adult cardiologists, radiologists and cardiovascular surgeons he trained have become leaders in pediatric cardiovascular medicine at major universities and hospitals throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as in the Twin Cities. He was born November 2, 1928 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Russell V. Lucas and Ruth E. Boddy. He married Patricia D. Sweney in 1951 and became the father of four children: Russell III (Gina) of Apple Valley, Pamela (Daniel) Eichenberger of Lake Elmo, Rebecca (Robert Monahan) Lucas of Shoreview and Michael (Nancy Krona) of Shoreview and 5 Vietnamese siblings adopted in 1975: Chien Nguyen (Ahn) and Cuc Nguyen of Garden Grove, CA, Vien Tran (Suong) of Anaheim, CA, Tuyet Lu (Minh) and Ngan Tran of Golden Valley. He was a grandfather to: Angela, Rachel, Taiga, Noah, Reed, Lucas, also Quang, Ken, Ronald, Mike, Max, Vincent, Tiffany, Tony, David, Kevin, Lena, John (Nicole), Kelly (Mike), Scott, Christopher (RaeLynn), Sarah and Robert. He is survived by his wife, his family, including a sister, Helen (Bodo) Lubenow of Ely and by countless friends and professional Colleagues. Dr. Lucas attended Central High School in St. Paul, MN and graduated Cum Laude from Macalester College in 1950. He received his M.D. degree from Washington University, St. Louis, MO in 1954. He completed an internship and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota in 1959 where he subsequently also completed a post doctoral research fellowship in Clinical Cardiology and Pathology. He served as Captain in the U.S. Army between 1956-58. His initial academic appointment was as Director of Pediatric Cardiology at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, where he served from 1961-66. He returned to the University of Minnesota in 1966 to assume the directorship of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology where he remained until his retirement in 1998. He was the first faculty member to hold the Paul F. and Faith S. Dwan Endowed Professorship of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, a position he held from 1968 until 1998. During his productive academic and clinical career, he was actively engaged in the practice of pediatric cardiology at both the University of Minnesota Hospital and Children's Hospital of St. Paul. In addition, Dr. Lucas was the author of many scientific reports and medical text book chapters on pediatric cardiology. Dr. Lucas served as a member of the Vestry and as Warden of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the West Virginia and Minnesota Heart Associations. He was a longtime member of the Variety Club of Minnesota, servicing both on the board and as the President. Primarily throught his efforts, the Variety Club funded and built the Dwan Cardiovascular Research Center at the University. In 1971, Dr. Lucas was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award of the American Heart Association. In addition, he was elected to membership in the prestigious Society of Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society. Dr. Lucas had a zest for life, a clear sense of purpose, and an extraordinary ability to understand human nature. He was a natural-born teacher whose goal in life - whether professional or personal - was to instruct others. All of his students, no matter how they interacted with him, respected and loved him for his unselfishness. Funeral service 4 PM Monday, ST. CHRISTOPHER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (2300 N. Hamline Ave., Roseville). Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday at ROSEVILLE MEMORIAL CHAPEL (2245 N. Hamline Ave., Roseville) 651-631-2727. Memorials preferred to: St. Christopher's Church, Russell V. Lucas Jr., M.D. Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology Fund or donor's choice.