Russ Spencer, film maker - RIP & Paddle Out

[billie_morini]

Notes and photos sourced from: https://www.noozhawk.com/article/russ_s ... s_20140414

Hundreds Celebrate Life, Friendship of Documentary Maker Russ Spencer

Russ' documentary work includes the acclaimed Hana Surf Girls; Backstage at the Bowl, narrated by actor Jeff Bridges; The Book of Santa Barbara, a documentary short about the photography of Macduff Everton; Being Here: The Art of Dan Horgan; and Watching the Bees.

Russ was killed by a hit and run driver on US Highway 101 in the early morning hours of March 23 near the Olive Mill Road overpass in Montecito. Montecito (Little Mountain) is the village on the east side of Santa Barbara where so many well-to-do business and arts folks live. The collision remains under investigation, but a few days after the crash, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced it was seeking information about a 2014-2017 base model Dodge Durango, of unknown color, with front-end damage to its driver’s-side bumper caused by “colliding with a pedestrian.”

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at Santa Barbara’s Arroyo Burro Beach County Park for the celebration of Russ' life. The memorial included reciting a litury and musical performances, including a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” an intentional choice because Spencer enjoyed the rock band. The inCourage Community Chorus, a nonaudition, nondenominational and all-age community choir Spencer performed with, also sang.

After the seaside service, more than a dozen community members paddled out on their surfboards to complete the memorial. Kayakers and surfers wearing leis joined hands in a circle as Spencer’s ashes were released into the ocean, followed by cheers, splashing, and tossed red roses and other flowers.

Arroyo Burro Beach is also known to surfers as Hendry's beach. Hendry's is the family that once owned the area as part of their farm. Local and visiting dogs know Hendry's well because this is the leash free beach within the city limits. Roxy Ridgeback has been there many times and some of billie's photos shared in Surfing Waves forum were made there.

[billie_morini]

two more photos. I'm sorry I missed this event. I did not even realize it was "this" Russ Spencer that was reported killed about 3 weeks ago. I do not know about where you live, but hit-and-run is almost common in California. May Russ Rest In Peace and his loved ones find comfort.