Russell A. King ’52 passed away on April 25, 2025 in Syracuse. He was a retired partner at King + King Architects, the oldest architectural firm in continuous practice in New York State and the fourth oldest in the country.
Russell A. King ’52Russ dreamed of becoming an architect from the time he was a young boy. His father, Harry, and his grandfather, Melvin King, influenced Russ’s architectural career through their work at King + King Architects, the historic firm founded in 1868 by Archimedes Russell, a professor of architecture at Syracuse University from 1873-1881.
Russ pursued his dream by enrolling in Syracuse University’s School of Architecture. While at Syracuse University, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity as well as the architectural honorary societies Tau Sigma Delta, Sigma Upsilon Alpha and the Gargoyle Society. Russ met his wife of 60 years, Joan (Jiggy) on a blind date at Syracuse University in 1950 and were married in June 1952, the year that Russ graduated.
After a four-year service as a Naval officer during the Korean War, Russ joined the family business in 1955. He became a principal of King + King Architects in 1959 and was managing partner and CEO for 35 years before retiring in 1992, when he transferred the leadership to sons, Jim ’77 (B.Arch) and Pete King ’77 (B.Arch) and new partners, Dave Johnson and Kirk Narburgh ’90 (M.Arch).
With King + King Architects being two years older than Syracuse University, the two institutions have collaborated closely over the past 150 years. Russ was the principal architect on several buildings at Syracuse University, including Bird Library, the Physics Building, Link Hall, Heroy Geology Laboratory, and the Biological Research Building, and designed renovations for most of the other buildings on campus at that time.
Inside the King + King Architecture LibraryIn 2017, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of King + King Architects, Russ and his late wife, Joan “Jiggy” King ’50 gave a gift to Syracuse University that created the King + King Architecture Library Endowed Support Fund to enhance the educational experience of students studying at the School of Architecture. The gift funded the renovation of the Architecture Reading Room in Slocum Hall, which was renamed the King + King Architecture Library in recognition of the Kings’ generosity.
The gift changed the space dramatically, adding a technology-laden seminar space, a new circulation desk, a new HVAC system and installation of updated library shelving. The fund also supported the space’s maintenance, collections, technology and other needs through the creation of an endowment.
“During his visits to campus, I talked with Russ about his education at Syracuse University and we shared stories about past professors, events, and spaces. It was obvious how fondly he remembered the school,” says Barbara Opar ’73, G’74, librarian for architecture and French language and literature.
“Russ sought to help create the same kind of memories for current and future students through a space where they could easily access core library resources and work comfortably individually or in groups,” Opar says. “His ideas helped to shape the renovation and to provide an inviting environment the students can call their own.”
In 2021, Russ was awarded the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award, which recognized alumni who graduated over 50 years ago and demonstrated loyalty and service to Syracuse University.
“Russ’s dedication to the architecture profession, the Syracuse community, and the School of Architecture was evident in everything he did—from his generosity to his relationships, and his passion for all things related to Syracuse University,” says Michael Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture.
“Russ was a giant in the profession and one of the most important and consequential architects to build on the Syracuse University campus,” Speaks says. “He will be deeply missed, and we are incredibly grateful for the legacy he has created at the School.”
