Russ Filbeck gives back through woodworking
Russ Filbeck has been many things: submariner, woodworker, teacher, and philanthropist. In this interview, Russ shares his story, from how he started woodworking to his work helping President Carter raise money for his foundation, The Carter Center.
Russ Filbeck lives in San Diego, California. At 17, he joined the United States Navy. He retired from the Navy’s Submarine Service in 1985. He then attended San Diego State University and graduated with bachelor and master’s degrees in Industrial Studies in 1989. He also has a furniture repair and refinishing business that he created in 1986.
After teaching his two-slat, three-slat, four-slat armchair and six-slat rocking chair designs for nine years at Palomar College, he decided to write a book on the subject. In writing the book, Russ interviewed chairmakers Brian Boggs, Roy Underhill, and President Jimmy Carter. Russ hit it off with President Carter, and they have since collaborated many times to raise money for The Carter Foundation.
Along with The Carter Foundation, Russ is active with The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch near Springfield, Mo., teaching Shaker box making and chair making to the 85 boys at the ranch. These boys, ranging in age from 11 to 17, are in trouble and have serious behavior problems. Russ believes that teaching them how to make useful things for themselves and others will enable them to change the course of their lives. When he was 14, Russ was the ninth boy to be brought to the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch when it was founded in 1959.
Comments
Ben, more like this.
Russ, THANK YOU, we need more people like you. See you in the Goatlocker in the sky some day.
Your good man Russ.
I will always remember my time in your shop. The chair you helped me build has a position of honor in our home. Your are the BEST! A slave-driver (drill instructor?) but the BEST instructor EVER!
Ben, thanks for making the video. I find Russ' life quite moving and inspirational. You did a wonderful job with the interview/conversation.
Totally agree.
This was fantastic. More like this FWW. You’re a great interviewer BenS.
Lots of experience here. Great interview! Thanks for sharing your story Russ.
Ben, great interview. Russ I absolutely loved this interview. It was a great story. I am a retired engineer and an avid wood worker. Keep up the good work.
Yes, a great interview and story, both about Russ and Jimmy Carter. In 1995 I was debating continuing my education - the question was how? CFT-100 under Russ at Palomar College was the answer. 25 years and a house full of furniture later, it was an excellent choice, and Russ is an excellent instructor.
That was a wonderful interview. It not only was great for a woodworker but for anyone in life. Fascinating man, great interview. It was informative, made you think, and just darn right all around perfect!!!
FW has done it again, Brilliant interview. FW understand the soul of the woodworker. Thank you.
I try really hard to not use the word "awesome". It is overused and loosed the intent. With that said the only word that comes to mind to describe Mr. Filbeck and this interview is "AWESOME"!!
I had the privilege of taking two woodworking classes from Russ at Palomar and they really improved my skills. He is a great instructor and inspirational person.
A woodworker I have always admired. One of your best interviews ever Ben! Keep it up.
User 7630268, as an aside, I totally agree with you on the current tendency to over use superlatives. Especially words like "Hero" and "Patriot".
A superlative interview of a life well spent. [And yes, "Superlatives" are vastly over used these days.] When the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch opened and Mr. Filbeck was 14, I was 18. I didn't wait for the draft and joined Uncle Sam's Army one month and two days after my 18th birthday. While I hadn't had nearly the rough beginning he'd had, it did make a very positive change in my direction. While he was a "Lifer", I served my three year enlistment, got out and went on to other things. One of them, commenter Guitar Tech, is that I was the Guitar Doctor for Stars Guitars in San Francisco in the late '70's to early '80's. (Yes, I went to concerts and recording studios and fixed things, "On The Spot", as they say.) Where are you fixing "Things that go [or don't go] 'Twang' in the Night"?
Truly humbling.
Russ, thank you for sharing so much. You're an incredible person.
Ben, it's clear you had a great time doing this. Congrats!
What a wonderful interview with Russ Filbeck! Ben, you were engaging and you could see that you connected with Russ. Just a great journey and I look forward to learning more about him. Thanks for capturing this video in his shop.
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