Tribute to Russ Divine
Russell Walker Divine was 100% invested in everything he committed himself to—whether that was being a son, a friend, a student, a colleague, a husband, a father, a church member, a board member, a neighbor, or a grandfather. Wherever he was, he was a joyful and inspiring leader.
Russ was born to Larry and Ann Divine and grew up in Winter Park, Florida with his brother Bill. In 1973, he graduated from Winter Park High School, and then in 1977, he graduated from University of Florida with his undergraduate degree in accounting. He went on to receive his law degree from UF’s Levin College of Law in 1980, and continued to be a true Gators supporter until his last breath.
After finishing his education, he and his wife Janice moved back to Orlando where they had their two daughters, Rachel and Becca, and became members of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. Russ served as an elder of the church several times and as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader over the years. Vocationally, he was a founding partner of Divine & Estes, P.A., retiring in 2021.
Luckily for us, Russ was also fiercely devoted to his roles as Treasurer and Chair of Personnel with the Heart of the City Foundation as a board member. Several years ago, he and his brother Bill set up an HOCF scholarship fund as a legacy to their mother, the Ann Wilson Divine Scholarship Fund, which we will continue having the honor of awarding each year to a student pursuing educational excellence in English, literature, or education.
On September 13, 2022, Russ passed away. As a testament to him and the impact he had on so many, some of us at HOCF have written some words in his memory:
Doug Woodman, Heart of the City Foundation Trustee, says, “I had the honor of knowing Russ for almost all of my life. The Divine’s house was one block over from ours in early 1960s Winter Park. Billy Divine was one of my first buddies and Russ kept us all in line in a nice way. As adults, our lives intersected in multiple aspects as Russ closed many commercial loans for me over the years, was a trusted colleague on the HOCF Board of Trustees, but most importantly, as a friend & neighbor (again).
“Fortunately, in the month before he passed, I had several nice conversations with Russ while out walking my new puppy. His positive attitude, friendly nature, and general demeanor were testaments to his trust in God that I will never forget. Russ was a role model to me as Christian man and leader in our community. He impacted many lives and is missed beyond words.”
Eugenia Sefcik, HOCF Scholarship Chair, says, “I have been friends with the Divine family for many years. It is always refreshing for a wife to speak so fondly of her husband. When I joined the HOCF board I was privileged to see and experience what Janice already knew. Russ was intelligent, smart, easy to work with, and had a great sense of humor!!”
Quino Martinez, HOCF Trustee, says, “I shared a conversation with Russ when he was battling pancreatic cancer, pre-remission. One of my law partners, Mike, was also battling pancreatic cancer at the time. Turns out that Mike and Russ knew each other. Mike and Russ each entered remission due, at least in some measure, to their faith and indomitable spirits. I marveled at how they handled a tough diagnosis, which is to say that they each handled it with quiet confidence and a faith in something much, much greater than themselves. While Mike continues the fight, Russ won the battle and is with our Lord. I am better for having met Russ and was honored to serve alongside him.”
Finally, Dennis Brockman, HOCF Foundation Director, shares, “I miss the wisdom he would bring to the Foundation. I miss his friendship, his belief in me, his commitment to Jesus, his humbleness, and his loyalty. I miss how he would spend time with me. I miss his tenderness to the Lord. I miss his stories of Orlando lore, music, people, and history, and I miss how inclusive he was, specifically how he would invite me into his world—his relationship with God, his work with Divine & Estes, his family and friends.”
Russ is survived by his wife Janice, his daughters Rachel and Becca, his sons-in-law Gabe and Bud, his brother and sister-in-law Bill and Lori, his aunt Gail Sims, and his grandchildren Lydia, Esther, and Kane. In lieu of flowers, his family would like any gifts to go to the Heart of the City Foundation.
If you would like to make a gift in memory of Russ, please go to our give page to give online or mail a check to 106 E Church St, Orlando, FL 32801.
