Russell Jay Ottens was born Feb. 6, 1954 at St. Joseph’s hospital in Far Rockaway, NY the son of Marguerite I. Seiders Ottens and Harry Ottens who were born in Brooklyn, NY.  Raised in Valley Stream, NY, Russ graduated from George W. Hewlett High School, class of 1971.  In 1973, he received an A.A.S. degree in general agriculture from the State Univ. of N.Y. at Delhi, then a B.S.A. in entomology and an M.S. in entomology from the Univ. of Georgia in 1975 and 1979, respectively.  He thoroughly enjoyed his career with the University of Georgia’s Department. of Entomology.

On September 24, 1983, he married the former Mary Elizabeth Bagley.  Russ and Beth are active members of Ephesus Baptist Church in Winston, Georgia.  They have been blessed with three wonderful children, Dorris, Rita, and Tom as well as three lovely grandchildren, Armando, MaryBeth, and Hudson.    Russ has been a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #693, The Yancy Independents, Sylvester, GA since 1993 and a member of the Sons of Union Veterans Hartranft Camp #15, Harrisburg, PA, since 1999.  He’s been active in Civil War reenacting since 1994 and has “fought” numerous battles portraying both Confederate and Union soldiers.  He also enjoys photography, trains, trolleys, antique cars, tractors, and studying American history.