In Memoriam: Peter H. Russell

It is with great sadness that I inform you that ATPAM Past President Peter H. Russell passed away on March 1, 2026, at the age of 86. Peter came into membership in 1964.

Peter, who was in the Manager chapter working as both a Company and Theater Manager, served as Vice-President of the Union from 1990 to 1993 and was elected to the Presidency in the 1993. He served until 1995. Those were significant years in the history of this Union.

Board Member Emerita and former ATPAM President Maria Somma was able to provide me with some of the history regarding our joining the IATSE and Peter Russell’s role in our becoming part of the IATSE family.

In 1992, ATPAM was a Directly Affiliated Local Union (DALU). At an AFL-CIO Convention in Washington D.C. Peter, attending with then Secretary-Treasurer Dorothy Olim, was informed that the AFL-CIO was phasing out all the DALUs. He was told, “you had better find a new parent.”

That conversation was the catalyst for ATPAM to seek affiliation with an International in which it could remain an active union and contribute to the larger scope of the theatrical landscape. With Board approval Peter began the serious business of looking into unions where ATPAM would be a natural fit. It soon became clear that joining the IATSE family would be the goal. (Side note: ATPAM’s founders had first entertained the idea of an affiliation with the IATSE as early as 1937).

Peter, Secretary-Treasurer Berneice Weiler, and Board Member Shirley Herz began meetings with various IATSE Leaders including then President Al DiTolla and Vice-President Eddie Powell. In October 1992, Peter made a brief presentation to the IATSE Executive Board reiterating ATPAM’s reasons for affiliation. Following the meeting the IATSE Board approved the motion to take ATPAM into the IATSE family.

At the membership meeting in April of 1993, newly elected President Peter Russell presented a strong case to the ATPAM membership for pursuing affiliation with the IATSE. Many questions were asked and answered and the membership voted overwhelmingly to have ATPAM enter into negotiations with the IATSE. In January of 1994, the ATPAM Board Of Governors approved the affiliation agreement and the membership approved that agreement at their meeting in April. On April 28, 1994, (currently also known as “ATPAM Appreciation Day”) President DiTolla, President Russell and Secretary-Treasurer Weiler signed the agreement which took effect in July of that year.

Being part of the IATSE family has had such an impact on our members , through our affiliation, we have an annuity, we maintain our status in the NBF Health Plan which covered our members under contract through the entire shutdown and then some, and we are provided numerous educational opportunities for all of our members.

If that were not enough, Peter Russell also negotiated with the Actors Federal Credit Union for an agreement to allow our members to utilize this vital resource.

In his years as a Manager, Peter managed the tours of PIPPIN, GREASE, DANCIN’ and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. On Broadway his credits include special presentations of PATTI LaBELLE ON BROADWAY, MORT SAHL ON BROADWAY among others.

May Peter's memory be a blessing.