Russell B. & Vivian J. Sylvester Russell B. Sylvester (6/19/1920 - 6/1/2014) and his wife Vivian J. Sylvester (9/22/1921 - 6/3/2014) passed away unexpectedly. They met in Florida during WWII when Russ, a young officer in the U.S. Army, visited a friend in the hospital where Vivian was working as a registered nurse. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Russ was born in Lowell, Vermont and was an electrical engineering graduate from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. He served in the last U.S. Calvary horse unit at Fort Riley, Kansas and then transitioned into the U.S. Army Signal Corps. After the war, he transferred to the newly established U. S. Air Force serving as a weather officer. He achieved the rank of Major and retired after 20 years of service. Vivian was born in Albany, Georgia and was a delightful, "Southern-belle" hostess. She was a member of the USAF Officers Wives Club-in the white gloves & calling card era. She hosted many social gatherings and wonderful family dinner parties well into her 80s. She was always the perfect hostess. She was also a member of the Community United Methodist Church. Russ & Vivian retired from an Air Force career in Utah after falling in love with the beauty and outdoor activities the area had to offer. Russ then became a civilian electrical engineer on the Minute Man Missile Program at Hill AFB for another 20 years. Russ & Vivian always had an active lifestyle. Russ, a lifelong avid skier, taught Vivian and his four children to ski at Snowbasin in 1964. He skied into his late 80s and he continued to stay active with daily walks and hiking. Vivian also skied into her 80s and continued to stay fit by swimming, exercising and hiking. They loved to travel and lived in many parts of the world in connection with their Air Force assignments. After retiring, they continued to many more locations around the world. They are survived by their four children: Mike Sylvester, Steve (Shari) Sylvester, Jan Shaw and Ben (Julie) Sylvester; four grandchildren: Ron (Katrina) Peterson, Brad Peterson, Tom (Summer) Sylvester and Jini (Matt) Maxwell; three step-grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. They are going to be missed very much by all who knew and loved them. Their family will especially miss all the joy they felt in their home. Friends may visit with family at Leavitts Mortuary, 836-36th Street, Ogden, UT on Friday, June 6, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at Leavitts Mortuary on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing prior to service from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at Leavitts Crystal Garden Mausoleum. Please send condolences to: www.leavittsmortuary.com Visitation Information Date: Friday, June 6, 2014 Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park Address: 836 36th Street, , Ogden, UT, 84403 (801) 394-5556 | Map Service Information Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014 Time: 11:00 am - Leavitt's Mortuary Address: 836 36th Street , , Ogden, UT, 84403 801-394-5556 | Map