Russell (Russ) & Sharon Hovda

Russ was born in Duluth, Minnesota and spent the first nine years of his life in St. Paul. His family first moved to Falls Church and then to Lynchburg, where his father taught at Lynchburg College. After graduating from E. C. Glass in 1961, he entered the U. S. Navy where he attended the Naval School of Music. Following three years in the navy playing in Washington, D.C. and Argentia, Newfoundland,
he enrolled at Lynchburg College where he received a degree in Chemistry. He also met his wife-to-be, Sharon Durrett, at LC and they were married just after graduation in 1968.

Sharon grew up in Alexandria, VA, and received a degree in English from Lynchburg College. After their marriage, they lived briefly in Amherst while Russ worked at American Cyanamid and Sharon taught middle school in Nelson County. They soon realized that Russ was rehearsing/playing gigs in Lynchburg 4 or 5 times a week so they decided to move into Lynchburg.

After they started a family, Russ worked as a research chemist at C. B. Fleet Co. and, except for briefly serving as Administrative Aide for Lynchburg Montessori School, Sharon concentrated full time on raising their three children and volunteering part time. The couple have three wonderful children: Jason, wife Kim, and teenagers Cole and Corinne live in Leesburg; Megan Vanderver, husband Ben and daughters Kate, who attends University of Colorado Boulder, and Ella, live in Atlanta; and Jarrett, wife Melanie, and 5-year-old Jake live in Palm City, Florida. Russ and Sharon count their very favorite times as family gatherings.

Among Russ’s interests are walking/jogging, cycling, tennis, astronomy, and, of course, music. He currently plays with two bands as well as at church and for musicals at local theater groups, high schools and universities. He sings in his church choir, plays in the bell choir, and sings with the UL Choral Union, and has served as an elder in his church. He also volunteers at the Johnson Health Center pharmacy and is a docent at UL’s Belk Observatory.

Sharon loves to read and write. She is currently organizing genealogy information and family stories for her children and grandchildren. She also plays in the bell choir at church. She has throughout her life been an active church member/volunteer, including serving as a deacon and elder and an active member of Presbyterian Women. In 2026 she will be a 50-year member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), holding a number of offices and co-chairing several of their annual book sale fundraisers. She also enjoys communing with the birds at her feeders!

Russ and Sharon are looking forward to meeting many new friends here and enjoying all W-C has to offer.