Russell Fuhrer
November 13, 2023

RUSSELL FUHRER: On Monday, November 13, 2023. Russell was a loving husband of Nancy Fuhrer and father of Evan Isaac Black. He was born December 29th 1961, in New York City's Mount Sinai, on a cold snowy night. He grew up Brooklyn and attended elementary school at Parochial, Non-Denominational Yeshiva. There he studied supremely long hours and attended Sunday school from 7:30 - 4:30 in the afternoon. He was accepted based on a test to the the competitive and prestigious Stuyvesant High School where he attended from 1975-1979. Since he was 14 years old, he took the subway 45 minutes each direction to school along with friends. There were students from all 5 boroughs, cultures and walks of life at that school. Russell attended undergrad at University of Pennsylvania from 1979-83, and then Medical School at SUNY Buffalo from 1983-87. After medical school, he decided to pursue Radiation oncology. Having never been to Pittsburgh, he began his residency in radiation oncology at AGH in 1987. In Pittsburgh he met Nancy Scheid, and married in 1991 at the Tree of Life Synagogue.Russell soon got an offer at UPMC, where they hired him as a visiting assistant professor since he only planned to be in Pittsburgh for 1 year. He ended up staying for 32 years, living and working in Pittsburgh. He started work at Shadyside hospital, and became Medical Director at the Mary Hillman Jennings Radiation Oncology Center. In 1999 Russell was recruited to AGH where he has been ever since. There, he took care of thousands of patients over the years, eventually specializing in prostate cancer. He was always able to implement new techniques and bring new technologies to Pittsburgh, providing state of the art care. Russell enjoyed taking care of patients and working with great staff over the years. He was the Director of Clinical Operations Radiation oncology department, in addition to administrative and clinical duties. Russell served as President of Beth Samuel Synagogue from 1997-98. He loved traveling with Nancy, and enjoyed extended family vacations and celebrations. The most important and fulfilling thing for Russell was caring for and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife Nancy, a son Evan (Lacey), his father Neil Fuhrer, his mother Marjorie Black, brother David (Violaine), sister Beth, loving in-laws, nephews, nieces, and longtime friends. Russell had a small collection of classic cars that he enjoyed working on, driving on the back roads of Pittsburgh and hanging out with friends with similar useless interests. He enjoyed problem-solving and fixing cars as a meditative hobby. He had an excellent sense of humor that was appreciated by his friends, family, co-workers and patients alike. Russell enjoyed fixing and improving things around the house, garden, and property. He loved being in nature and hiking with Nancy, family, friends, and dogs. Russell died peacefully of pancreatic cancer at his home in Sewickley with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 2 PM. Visitation one hour prior to service (1 PM - 2 PM). Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to The Russell S. Fuhrer Collaboration Room, please make checks payable to AHN, and mailed to AHN, Office of Development, 4818 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. On the memo line, please place Dr. Fuhrer. www.schugar.com

Condolences

My condolences to Dr Fuhrer's family. I was a patient of Dr Fuhrer's and he made me feel so comfortable in an uncomfortable setting. I'm happy to say he proclaimed me cancer-free in June 2021....I think of him daily and will continue to do so.

My husband was a patient who was a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art. He gave Dr. Fuhrer and some family members a tour once, and always felt that he was a doctor who connected with his patients on a personal level.

Russell lived such a full and interesting life. In practicing his vocation and his many avocations, he brought forth humor, intelligence and compassion. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, patients and colleagues.

Dear Nancy, Evan, Lacy and family, Sending my love to you all from California. Russell was so brilliant, kind and clever. An all around wonderful human being. The world will be less bright without him. May peace be with you, Amy Hoyt

Dr. Fuhrer was one of the best people I've had the honor to work with. He cared for so many people with compassion and excellence. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.

Russell escorted my mother in law Anne Goldman, down the aisle at my daughter, Jayne’s wedding to Rich Davies, one of Russell’s closest friends He was a sharp very witty man with a great feeling for people. Our deepest sympathies to Nancy and Evan and all the family