NewsChannel 21 meteorologist Russell Bird passes away

It is with extreme sadness and very heavy hearts that we share word that NewsChannel 21 Meteorologist and our friend, Russell Bird, has passed away.

Russell was found by police at his Bend apartment late Tuesday afternoon.

Police tell us his death was not suspicious.

Russell was a graduate of Ohio State University and had been with us since last July.

He’s remembered as a great weather scientist, and mostly as a great friend to all of us at the station.

We will miss the joy he had, on and off camera, every day.

We will miss the passion he brought to his work.

Most of all, we will miss the man, and everything he was to us.

Russell Bird was 27.