Russell Scott Kotlarz

This online memorial was created in loving memory of Russ Kotlarz.

Russ graduated from Elk Grove High School, attended Rock Valley College and graduated with a degree in aircraft maintenance. Russ started with United Airlines in Nov., 1986. Russ was lead singer of a band called WAVE for nine years and later sang with Peg 7. Russell had a profound presence on everyone he had the privilege to meet or work with. Russell is survived by his wife, Jackie; daughter, Chloe Hanna and a yet to be born child; parents, Ronald (Halla) Kotlarz; brother, Paul (Jennifer) Kotlarz; grandfather, Clifford Combs; in-laws, Ted and Anna Babicz; brother-in-law, Tony Babicz; and nieces, Jessica and Jordan Kotlarz. Memorials may be made to the Russ Kotlarz Memorial Fund at any Harris Bank. Please sign Russ's guest book and let us know you came to visit. We will remember Russ forever.

Russ and Chloe

From Jackie... PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO SIGN THIS GUESTBOOK WHENEVER YOU VISIT RUSS' MEMORIAL. IT IS VERY COMFORTING FOR ME AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY TO READ YOUR MESSAGES....LOVE JACKIE

I am so nervous right now...deep breaths... Jackie, deep breaths.. OK. 

Hi everyone. I am going to try to write from my heart so here it goes.

I didn't think I would be doing this today. I didn't think I would be doing a lot of things today actually, but I have no choice. I am so overwhelmed and all I want to do is just miss him so hard that I can actually feel him. I thought the words would just come out but I'm feeling frozen.

I MISS HIM!!!!!! I want him here like everyone else. The thing that makes me crazy is that I always knew I wouldn't have him as long as I should, but I didn't think it would be this short!!! My biggest fear has come to life!!! I am so sorry for all of you. I know who we all lost. He had everyone by the Heart. I just wish his heart was stronger to carry him through.

Today (Nov 7th) Russ was supposed to have a Cardiac Defibrillator implanted, at 12:00pm. This device was to help PREVENT his heart from going into a irregular heart beat, and save his life. But his heart wouldn't hold on. Russ has been a heart patient since 1999. He contracted a virus that went to his heart and caused his heart to be permanently damaged. He was diagnosed with Viral Cardiomyapathy. And Congestive heart failure along with a few other diagnoses that came more recently. As a result of his virus.....and all the other things that had started to come with it... I just wanted to clear up any miss- conceptions about what happened to him. This wasn't anything he did to himself. He had no control over this. It wasn't his fault. I feel better getting that out.

I know what kind of man Russ was, I knew a lot of people loved him. But, I am overwhelmed this memorial site. All of the people who have visited his memorial already. I thank you all...with ALL of MY heart for EVERYTHING!!! EVERY kind word and thought, EVERY story, EVERY offer to be here, EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

My life will never be the same as it probably won't for a lot of you. I will do everything in my power to have Chloe and the new baby know who their Daddy is. He will be in our lives every second of everyday. I will gain the strength though our kids, to get up everyday and slowly start to go on. But I will never let him leave my thoughts for a second. He must have known I would do OK. I am strong, but I still need to feel him. I know he knows that...I told him already....

Dear Moos, (Russ)

This sucks. I am not going to say this shouldn't have happened. Cause it did and we can't turn back. I hope you know I love you so much.

My heart is broken. But its not your fault. I just want you here.

I know you have been reading this site. Can you believe it!! I am truly amazed. Do you see all of this support?..... I will be OK. I hope your not going crazy up there wondering how we are going to make it. I know you had a feeling when you were here that you needed to get things in order. We are finding it all. I had no idea you were lining all of these thing up for us before you left. It is really freaking us all out.

Do you think you knew? Did you hear what I said to you in the hospital on Friday???? Did you feel me? I couldn't stop touching your face and kissing your forehead. I told you that you felt like you were shoveling snow without a hat on for an hour, cause your head was so cold. I told you a million times I loved you.

I feel you just so you know....

I know you touched my hand the other night when i was laying in bed. I felt you squeeze the top of it. Chloe is looking for you, and we tell her your not here but we show her a picture right away. The other day she was saying Daddy Poopie, she must have wanted you to chance her diaper. As far as she is concerned your job isn't done. Hey Moos, thanks for leaving me with all the dirty diapers!!! She will always love her Daddy. I will read her "Bubbles Bubbles" until she is an old lady, I will call her "stinko my stinko" every day. I wont let the dogs in the kitchen, I will try not to break everything, (or my dad's gonna kill me) we already clogged the toilet. we both know this list goes on and on. This is not the last you have heard of me Mister.

Ohhhh Moos, I hate this constant lump in my throat. I need you. I want you I miss you. I cry for you. But I will be OK. I have to be, you would not have left if you didn't think I could do this Right???? Cause right now I'm not so sure. But I will try, I promise. Damn it.........Moos I love you ...K?

I love you.....I love you

Come see me soon K?

Love Love Moos (Jackie)

A Message from Mike
All I know is that we've just lost another one of the "good guys." Russ was one of those people that you were blessed to be able to call a friend. There are few people in this world that have gained as much respect and admiration as Russ has in my eyes. He was genuine to the core. He was one of a kind and I'm proud to say that I got to know him and have him be a part of my life. I can't even imagine what Jackie is going through right now. Words can not convey what I'm feeling for Jackie, so I'm not going to even try. I just want her to know that whatever she needs that we will all be there for her. Wave, Jostelen Weed, & Peg 7 will always mean something different now. We've lost our faithful leader. Russ was a musician that we all looked up to and admired. He was an anchor in our world. I know that everyone that has ever been on stage with him knows exactly what Russ brought to the stage, an awesome energy that just filled the room, and this was no different then when he was off the stage. You will always be with us Russ. Jostelen Weed was blessed with having Russ at our last show. We all had a great time. This show will always have a special meaning to us. We will miss you. Mikey D JW A Note from Nikki:
Scott and I would like everyone to say a prayer for our dear friend Jackie. Jackie lost her husband on Friday. Russ was a very dear friend of mine and he will be missed. I would not be where I am today without him. So I am going to tell you a little story about Russ. Scott was asked by this band WAVE to be their drummer. My friend Billy took me to see them and we all hit it off. I would not have met Scott if it wasn't for them. Russ was one of the most talented singers I know. We called him LUNGS because he could sing anything that was thrown at him. WAVE was together for about 9 years and when they broke up JOSTELEN WEED was born. Russ still came out and would get up on stage and rock the house. He was and always will be a big part of my life. He touched so many people and would do anything for anyone. I guess I am just in shock and dont really know what to say. But Russ I know your in heaven singing the songs you loved to sing. And only you will know what this means..........HOW BOUT ME AND YOU!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU RUSS AND WILL MISS YOU MORE THAN ANYONE WILL EVER KNOW....Lastly, we will take care of Jackie, Chloe and the little one on the way. ALL MY LOVE NIKKI