Los Angeles
County
Biographies
JERRY RUSSLER
Just
how successful a man can be in making the transition from art to business has
been proven by Verle Jerome Russler. He
showed a talent for music early in life, and studied piano, playing with expert
teachers until he became an accomplished pianist. During an extended trip through Europe and
South America, he noted down his experiences and sent them in letter form to
the Alhambra Post Advocate, which published these travelogues in the daily
paper. While studying for his Bachelor
of Arts degree at the University of California at Los Angeles, he composed
music for Campus Capers and also directed the orchestra for three years. Later he extended his interest in the fields
of artistry to the graphic arts, and specialized in engraving and
rotogravure. Then Mr. Russler entered
the real estate and investment field.
He
started dealing in real estate in 1945, and is one of the successful realtors
of the San Gabriel Valley. His office is
located at 1016 South Valencia Street in Alhambra, where he conducts a general
real estate business. Mr. Russler is a
charter member of the San Gabriel Multiple Listing; past secretary of the
Alhambra District Board of Realtors, and a member of the National and
California State Boards of Realtors.
Jerry
Russler was born in Bushnell, Illinois.
His father, Clarence A. Russler, was a contractor and of Pennsylvania
Dutch ancestry. His mother, Blanche
(Thompson) Russler was of English descent. Both are deceased. The family moved to
California in 1921, and Jerry graduated from Alhambra High School, where he was
on the champion debating team. He was
the first Eagle Scout in the area.
He
went to work for the Alhambra Post Advocate, a daily newspaper, where he worked
from 1926 to 1928. In 1930 he traveled
through Europe and South America, and his experiences were printed in the
Alhambra Post Advocate newspaper. Mr.
Russler continued his studies in 1931.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
California at Los Angeles, where he was an honor student, in 1935. He took post graduate courses from 1935 to
1937. From 1937 to 1941, he held various
positions in the citrus industry as inspector, accountant and foreman. From 1941 to 1944, he worked in the personnel
department of the Aluminum Corporation of America. Soon he became a qualified journeyman in
photo engraving. Later he learned
rotogravure. From 1945 on Mr. Russler
was also in the real estate business.
Mr.
Russler married Miss Vida Poor, also a native of Illinois, at Saint Paul’s
Cathedral in Los Angeles. They have one
daughter, Judith Mary Russler, who was born on her father’s birthday, August
16, 1944. She attends Alhambra High
School, likes to ice skate, play golf and is an
excellent seamstress.
The
father of Mrs. Russler, Homer C. Poor, was an outstanding authority in the
citrus industry, and a leading California citizen. He was a member of the Grapefruit Advisory
Board by appointment from Washington, D. C.
Her mother, Marie Poor, is a past president of the Tuesday Club and a
member of the Granada Chapter of Eastern Star.
There have been only girls in two generations of the family. Neither Mrs. Poor or
Mrs. Russler bore sons.
Mrs.
Russler is a member of the Granada Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of
Alhambra and of the Alhambra Tuesday Club.
She is a board member of the Women of the Church of Our Savior in San
Gabriel, and Past Noble Grand of the Rebekahs.
The Russler’s are members of the Church of Our Savior.
Mr.
Russler is a member of Psi Chi, an honorary fraternity, and Past Master
Councilor of the De Molay. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter,
Council and Commandery. In 1949-50 he
was president of the Vernon Lions Club.
Being
a registered Republican, Mr. Russler named their black poodle in honor of the
Republican President’s wife, Mamie Eisenhower.
During National Dog Week, Mamie, the poodle, was the dog publicized by
the Alhambra Post Advocate.
Mr.
Russler’s hobby is fishing and his favorite diversion is music.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 559-560, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES