Randall Russell Last

Profile Updated: December 17, 2024
Residing In: Golden Valley, MN USA
Spouse/Partner: Ann Higgins, since Oct. 1, 1977
Occupation: Portfolio Manager / Registered Investment Advisor
Children: Nora Elizabeth Jury-Last, born May 14, 1990, attended Drake University, Des Moines IA

Sian More…Ellen Last, born June 1, 1994, attended University of Toronto and University of Michigan Law School.
Comments:

Left "The OC" to attend UW-Madison. Drew draft lottery #269 so ducked The War: my heart goes out to those who couldn't miss that one and especially those who didn't come back from Damn 'Nam. Is there a more dangerous place in the world than fighting a war for a government that doesn't care to win it?

Attended Madison on the 7 Year Plan: graduated in '76. Had the best summer job ever during 5 of those years: worked for a carnival gaming company - got to "See The USA" through the windshield of a Chevrolet(GMC, actually) truck(converted school bus, actually).

Settled in the Twin Cities in '77 as dazed and confused as anyone at that time and, on a dare(from myself), applied for a job as a stock broker. Started calling myself Russell or Russ - it's my middle name; I always hated "Randy." It seems to have worked: became an idiot savant for a MN-based investment bank until the firm got sold out from under us. Learned my lesson(have a piece of the action) and started my own investment advisory co. in '97. My partner's name is Walter so we call ourselves Walrus Partners.

Been doing that ever since and am enjoying it too much to consider retirement. Of course, having kids later in life and having to send them to college in my 60s might explain it, too.

School Story:

Paul Kern called to tell me about this site and the 44 ReU so that brought back all kinds of memories of band hi-jinx. What a cool guy Mr. Tom Stevenson was. Can I get a witness?

Jamming w/ Harvey Cobb, rest his soul, in the jazz band.

Getting sent in from marching band practice when the saxophone section(Ruby, Ramsey, Despot, me) spontaneously broke into our imitation of James Brown's Famous Flames.

Sitting in front of Clay Larson's tuba and the trumpet section.

Goofing off in the drum section w/ Danny Reynolds and Dale DeWitt.

Haven't played saxophone since mine was stolen @ UW; "serial beginner" on guitar but still noodle on it now and again.

Freshman football: having to block both Kazmierski and Kosikowski in practice. Was it Bertling that rang Big Frank's bell vs. New Berlin?

Chemistry class: who was more bent, Parsons & I, whose project was making rum from molasses, or Mr. Kulinski for letting us do it? Maybe there's a reason Mr. K gave me that "Con Man Extraordinaire" medal.

High School Bowl, w/ Hay, Parsons, Peterson and McDermott: we won a squeaker and lost a laugher.

"The Swede" Bo Westman: he & I going to The Scene nightclub to hear John Mayall's Blues Breakers. (Note: John Mayall is still going strong!). Where's Bo?

Getting suspended for "selling pornography:" Milwaukee Kaleidoscope underground paper.

Prior to Senior Year a lot of my friends were Class of '68 and my steady was Class of '70. So, Senior Year I learned how many really cool people there were in the class of '69.

And then there was Lindholm's famous amphibious flivver....

Randall Russell's Latest Interactions

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Randall Russell Last has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar
22
Mar 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM

Posted on: Mar 22, 2025 at 3:33 AM

Mar
12
Mar 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM

HBD, old man (belatedly). I wish we got down to MKE vicinity more often these days; would love to get lunch or a cocktail or sumthin.

Randall Russell Last posted a message. New comment added.
Mar 12, 2025 at 10:18 PM

Posted on: Mar 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM

A belated happy birthday to you, Jay. Let's enjoy many more! And many thanks to you and the other committee members who keep this page, and this class, lively.

Feb
16
Feb 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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Dec
17
Dec 17, 2024 at 12:51 AM
Randall Russell Last has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Dec
10
Dec 10, 2024 at 1:59 PM

I also found the following on the US Air Force Academy website.

"Michael Richard Hay, loving husband, father, and brother, died of kidney cancer in October 2024. Michael was born in Racine, Wisconsin to Richard Hay and Helen Hay. He is survived by his wife, April Eggleston Hay; his sons, Steven Michael Hay, Michael Joseph Hay, and Mark Garrett Hay; and his siblings, Gary Hay, Susan Anderegg and Connie Ploch. Michael enjoyed a happy childhood, and after graduating high school, he attended the United State Air Force Academy, majoring in Civil Engineering. After graduating USAFA in 1973, he entered pilot training on the C-141 and met April who was an air traffic controller stationed in Altus, Oklahoma. They married in 1975. Michael ended his military service in 1979 and went on to pursue a long career in commercial aviation, first with a start-up airline and then with Northwest Airlines, where he became a Captain of the B-747 and flew international routes until he retired. Michael’s main hobby was working on various cars, but his special love was Corvettes. He loved listening to music of many genres, and made friends wherever he went. He will be missed by all. Michael’s ashes will be placed at the Prescott National Cemetery on Friday, November 1st at 1400, with Military Honors. Preceded by a Veteran’s Motorcycle Salute at 1340 "

Randall Russell Last has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Dec 10, 2024 at 1:29 PM

I echo Paul's comments above. When everyone scattered after graduation I went to Madison to attend the U. That probably wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Mike's dad, Richard Hay, who was a Rotarian. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship from his Rotary chapter; Dick, I beleive, had something to do with making that happen. He'd always chat me up when I dropped by their home or just to pick Mike up to go somewhere. The scholarship amount wouldn't sound like a lot of money today but it paid for most of my freshman year tuition.

Whenever I saw Mike I'd thank him for his dad's faith. And tweak him over how much he looked just like is dad now (only taller). We did have a ball in Indy that year, Kern, Hay, Minerath and, I believe, MM's nephew. Mike & I were talking about going to the race again 3 years ago when he told me about his diagnosis. It made me want to make it happen even more. But I knew Mike's illness must have been really serious when he emailed to say he couldn't join me. I tried to stay in touch, too, but the line went silent about a year ago. Rest in Peace, MIke!

Randall Russell Last posted a message. New comment added.
Dec
02
Dec 02, 2024 at 5:00 PM

Posted on: Dec 02, 2024 at 12:19 PM

An early HBD, Dale. Enjoy your day. In fact, enjoy every day!

Mar 22, 2024 at 3:33 AM
Randall Russell Last added a comment on his Profile.
Feb 29, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Apr 09, 2023 at 10:21 PM

Happy #*^&@$* Birthday, Paul! Again! ;-)

Randall Russell Last has a birthday today. New comment added.
Apr 09, 2023 at 8:49 PM

Posted on: Mar 22, 2023 at 3:33 AM

Randall Russell Last has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 22, 2022 at 6:22 AM

Posted on: Mar 22, 2022 at 3:33 AM

Randall Russell Last has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 22, 2021 at 2:01 PM

Posted on: Mar 22, 2021 at 3:33 AM

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Apr 07, 2020 at 7:07 PM

Posted on: Apr 07, 2020 at 6:40 PM

Happy &%$*@# Birthday, Paul! Best wishes, sincerely, to you & Judy and all of yours.

Mar 22, 2020 at 3:35 AM
Mar 22, 2019 at 3:33 AM
Mar 22, 2018 at 3:34 AM
Jan 24, 2018 at 11:33 AM

Who doesn't remember school dances in the cafetaria? Tom's band, The Lyrics, was the most frequent entertainment, as I recall. I think Al Augustine(OCHS '68) was in the band, too. I don't recollect the other 2 members. To this day, when I hear the song "Midnight Hour" I think of those dances, before I think of The Rascals or Wilson Pickett singing it on the radio. Tom was a cool dude that I didn't really get to know much until senior year. He wore baggies & ban-lon and Stacies, too, but was above all that goofy "greaser vs. preppy" stuff. Rest In Peace, Tom.

Randall Russell Last has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 22, 2017 at 9:33 AM

Posted on: Mar 22, 2017 at 3:33 AM

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Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:22 AM
Hasn't changed a bit.