Russell W. Mank Jr., 79, a retired Air Force colonel and resident of Burke, Virginia, passed away on January 28, 2020 at Fairfax Hospital. He had recently suffered the latest in a series of medical complications extending over 30 years that resulted from his being made a quadriplegic when struck by a hit-and-run driver while he was jogging near his home in 1988. His courage and determination enabled him to overcome his injuries and fashion a new life for himself. Few of us will ever be tested in such ways—and fewer still triumph time after time. During his 23-year Air Force career, Mank held positions as a weapons controller, operations training officer, USAF Academy Tenure Professor, and strategic planner on the Air Staff in the Directorate of Plans and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Directorate of Plans and Policy. He served in Southeast Asia, initially in South Vietnam (1969), and in Thailand (1973-1974). His military decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Vietnam Service Medal. After his medical retirement from the Air Force and a long period of rehabilitation at the VA Hospital in Richmond, Mank served for more than 25 years in a variety of senior positions with The Paralyzed Veterans of America. As the Associate Executive Director, Administration, and Director of Plans and Operations, he provided logistical and technical support for the operation of PVA’s national office. He served as National Legislative Director and as the Acting Associate Executive Director, Veterans Benefits Department. In these posts, he was involved with a broad range of health care, legislative, veterans’ benefits, and disability rights issues and often testified before congressional committees on those subjects. Born in Belleville, Illinois in 1940, he received a bachelor’s degree from Memphis State University, a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a doctorate in history from the University of Denver. Mank is survived by his wife Mary Lou (Fitzgerald), two daughters, Lisa M. Reddel (Eric Reddel) of Fairfax, Virginia, and Tammy M. Wincup (Todd Wincup) of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and three grandchildren, Grant Fitzgerald, Reid Elizabeth, and Avery Margaret. A memorial service will be held at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, Virginia. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Russ’s memory to the Paralyzed Veterans of America (www.pva.org/donate). Thank you to all our family and friends for your support and love through so many years.