Russell C. Atkins of Maple Valley, Wash., died March 25, 2015.

He was born Nov. 24, 1938, in Sumner, Ill., to the late Merlin and Mildred Atkins. He graduated from high school there in 1956. He attended Eastern Illinois University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1960 and a master’s degree in 1964. He taught for seven years at Mt. Zion High School in Mt. Zion, Ill. After moving to Washington he taught for 30 years at Enumclaw High School.

He is survived by sister Mary Davis of Las Vegas, Nev., and other relatives in Nevada and California.