Russ Wahl Remembered for Building Relationships in Mendota Heights Area

The Mendota Heights area lost an extraordinary asset March 25, both professionally and personally. Russell “Russ” Wahl has been a building official and inspector for decades, administering and enforcing building codes throughout Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights and Sunfish Lake.

“He was a joy to work with,” explained David Neameyer, building official for Mendota and Lilydale and inspector in Inver Grove Heights. “One of his strongest assets was a memory for people. He would be able to see people and recall projects from 30 or 40 years prior.”

Raised on Saint Paul’s West Side, Wahl was “a hard worker” even as a young person, according to his wife of 59 years, Marilyn. Wahl delivered telegrams during World War II and later went to trade school. His early construction experience included putting the distinctive roof on the Fasbender Clinic, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building in Hastings, in the late 1950s.

Over the years, Wahl acted as building inspector or building official for a number of cities in the area, including Mendota, Mendota Heights, and Lilydale. His rapport with people together with his building code expertise made him indispensible. In fact, according to Marilyn Wahl, Russ Wahl actually retired in 1991. He was soon pulled back into his work.

“In our business, people are not always happy to see us coming,” said Neameyer of the building inspection trade. “We are the people responsible for interpreting building codes and enforcing them, and we aren’t always well-liked. [Wahl], though, was loved. He was an exemplary building official. He knew that 80 percent of our job is customer relations, and he always made people feel comfortable while doing his job. He knew so many in the community. It became a running joke with him that we couldn’t go anywhere without running into people he knew.”

Lisa Page, Wahl’s daughter, agrees. “No matter where you were, he knew someone. When you were talking to him, he gave you his full attention,” Page said. “He always had a smile on his face.”

With six daughters, 14 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, Wahl was also a dedicated family man.

“He loved being with his family,” said Page. “He loved going to the casino with his wife, and always went to the kids’ sporting events. He was a great father.”

Wahl was diagnosed with mesothelioma on February 17, 2011, and died on March 25 at age 82. Services were held the following Tuesday at Augustana Lutheran Church.

He was still working and attending meetings as late as January of this year.

“He was sharp until the end,” remembered Neameyer. “I just can’t say enough about Russ. He was a wonderful person.”