Russel A. Bantham, ’66, 1941-2026
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.
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