Russell Conrad Watterberg

Russell C. Watterberg, 81, of Ocean Park was ushered into the presence of his Savior and Lord on July 15, 2009. He was born November 27, 1927 in Parshall N.D. His first four years of school were in a one-room schoolhouse on the North Dakota prairie before moving with his family to Oregon at the age of ten, and then on to Brush Prairie, WA where he graduated from Battle Ground High School. After graduation Russ joined the Merchant Marines, followed by a tour of duty in Korea with the Army. Returning home he met and married Myrtle Goldman in 1950, attended Powellhurst Bible College graduating in 1952. That year he moved his family to Ilwaco where he began the work that became Seaview Baptist Church (now Grace Family Fellowship). During these years he worked for the Campbell Logging Company and then his own "Sand Man" trucking business. He pastored the Seaview Baptist Church for 25 years. In 1959 he was asked to be the camp manager at Lily Dell Dune (now Dunes Bible Camp). For the past 50 years as the camp's General Director, he has dedicated his life to glorifying God through this youth camp ministry. Russell was a loving and devoted husband, father, grand and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife Myrtle, sons Tim and Steve (and wife Elizabeth) of Klamath Falls, Oregon, daughters Linda (and Steve) Holmes and Beth Sexton of Ocean Park, along with 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held on August 1 at 11:00 AM at Peninsula Baptist Church with a reception following. Contributions can be made in his name to the Dunes Bible Camp scholarship fund. Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach, WA in charge of arrangements and the guestbook my be signed at www.penttilaschapel.com