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About the Artist - R.R. Weiskircher: Depending on which hat he's wearing, he answers to:
General, Doctor, Mister, and just plain Russ!
Born and reared in western PA, Russ went from high school into combat infantry duty with the US
Army in Europe during WWII. As a rifleman in the famous 45th (Thunderbird) Division he fought in
Italy, France, and Germany. His many decorations include: Three Purple Hearts; Silver and Bronze
Stars; the Legion of Merit; and numerous campaign ribbons. After the war, he remained in service,
was commissioned, and served for 45 years. He rose in rank from Private to Brigadier General,
retiring from active duty in 1978, and from Civil Service in 1985. (Note: For information
regarding Russel R. Weiskircher's distinguished military career, please see:
VI Corps Combat Engineers - 45th Infantry Division, 157th Infantry Regiment.)
Not one to sit around, Russ was a realtor for six years until final retirement and relocation to
the Blue Ridge foothills of North Georgia. There, he and his wife, Jane [also from western PA]
reside on two woody acres overlooking the hamlet of Cleveland.
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For his entire life, Russ has mixed service and education. He attended and graduated from several
senior service schools, as well as earned a PhD and a Doctor of Sacred Theology. He was ordained,
and in retirement, serves as a substitute preacher / teacher all over the Georgia hills. Based
upon his having been one of the first American soldiers to enter the Dachau death camp in April
1944, he has devoted years of volunteer work, lecturing and conducting anti-prejudice training.
He is a very active member of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.
His hobbies include fishing, hiking, woodworking, and a love of history. To this end, he spends
hours creating miniatures of landmarks found in the hills. He travels with sketch pad and camera,
works from photos, and often just creates an original, based upon pure imagination! You can find
him carving, whittling, hiking, attending local meetings, assisting the Chamber of Commerce,
serving his local church, attending veterans organizational meetings, arguing politics, and at
the computer where he spends hours on the Internet!
Russell's famous Mountain Miniatures are on display all over North Georgia. His profits
benefit several charities. He refuses to count birthdays, and at 80+, finds his chief limitation
is time.
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