Russel A. Bantham

Russel A. Bantham

Russel A. “Russ” Bantham, 86, of McLean, Virginia, died on July 30, 2026, at Georgetown University Hospital. He was born on April 16, 1941, in Utica, New York to Russel A. Bantham Sr. and Frances Brown.

After attending New Hartford High School (where he met his future wife Ann Watkins), he matriculated at Hamilton College and graduated with the Class of 1963. As an undergraduate he participated in public speaking and debate, and helped start concert and marching bands. Russ and Ann were married in August 1963, and moved to Chicago where Russ earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School.

After several years in private practice, Russ joined Bristol-Myers in 1969 and began a 25-year career with the company, retiring in 1994 as Vice President and Associate General Counsel.

Following his retirement from Bristol-Myers, Russ and Ann moved to the Washington D.C. area. He joined the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and worked there for the next 10 years where he was able to combine his expertise and experience in the areas of law, regulation, science, public policy, and healthcare.

In later years, Russ continued his work in the areas of pharmaceuticals, healthcare and public policy through his service on the Boards of Inspire and Commence Health. Throughout his career, Russ was known for mentoring young associates, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Hamilton College always remained an important part of Russ’s life. He chaired the Hamilton College Alumni Council Admission Committee, served as President of the Alumni Association from 1982 to 1984, served as an Alumni Trustee from 1990 to 1994, and was named by Hamilton College as its Volunteer of the Year in 2001. He remained actively involved in fundraising campaigns for Hamilton, as well as student recruitment, career and public-policy programs, and often hosted Hamilton gatherings in the Washington D.C. area. Russ will be buried at Hamilton College later this year.

Russ was known for his sense of humor, his love of family, and his relentless intellectual curiosity. He was a lifelong learner, always having several books going at once. One of the first questions he often greeted friends and family with was to ask “what are you reading”?

Russ and Ann traveled extensively, visiting dozens of countries together, often as part of organized biking and hiking trips. Music was also very important to Russ. He had an extensive music collection, and regularly attended events with Ann at the Kennedy Center. Russ and Ann were longtime supporters of Washington Performing Arts (WPA), the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), and the Wolf Trap Foundation.

Russ is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann Watkins Bantham, as well as his sister, Abigail Chodoff (Mark Chodoff, MD), his children Andrew Bantham (Cathleen VanBuskirk, MD), Gregory James Bantham, and Amy Bantham (Ben Livermore). More than anything else, Russ enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren Owen (16), Ryan (15), Anna (14), and Zoe (14), including during regular summer vacations in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and family Christmas celebrations in Colorado.

Russ and Ann established the Kenneth J. Watkins ’25 Scholarship at Hamilton in memory of Ann’s father, a Hamilton graduate and science teacher. Ken was the first in his family to attend college, and helped inspire a multi-generational Hamilton legacy which included Russ (’63), Andrew (’89), and Gregory James

(’92). A fourth generation is possible as well, as both grandsons (Owen and Ryan) are scheduled to tour Hamilton this fall.

The Hamilton scholarship Russ and Ann started supports students with financial need, with preferences for students studying biochemistry, chemistry, or other natural sciences. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Russ’s memory to the Trustees of Hamilton College, with the designation (in the memo line for a check or the “notes” box for an online gift) of “for The Kenneth J. Watkins ’25 Scholarship in memory of Russ Bantham.” Online gifts can be made at MAKE A GIFT, or checks may be mailed to Hamilton College, Advancement Office, 198 College Hill Rd., Clinton NY 13323.