Rousseau Alda

Rousseau "Russ" Alda, 87, of Tiffin passed away Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Autumnwood Care Center in Tiffin.  He was born June 23, 1933 in Cebu City, Philippines the son of Patricio and Agatona (Navarro) Alda.  

The story of Russ and Ellie is a true Love Story and the American Dream.  The two were married on June 6,1959 in Cebu City.  After their first child was born in 1960, the political environment in the Philippines deteriorated under an oppressive dictatorship.  It was then, they decided to apply for a green card to immigrate to the United States.  Eleven years and three children later, they were finally approved.  In October of 1971, Russ left a pregnant Ellie, and his life as a professor and city engineer to come to a new world.  Barely speaking English and knowing only one other person here in the states, he travelled half way around the world alone so he could give his family hope of a better life and more opportunities.  After a year of struggles and hard work, he was able to save enough money to bring his wife and now 5 children, the youngest whom he had never met and was now 6 months old, to Tiffin, Ohio.  He eventually found work as a Mechanical Engineer for Allied Auto where he worked for almost 15 years till the age of 59.  Unfortunately, due to layoffs he found himself unemployed.  Because of his age and the work environment he was unable to find a job as an engineer, so he decided to work in the supply room, making minimum wage at the Bellevue Hospital.  There he would stay till he was 81 when health issues forced him into retirement.   He will be remembered for always having a smile on his face and an incredibly kind heart to others as he pushed his supply cart throughout the hospital. He always enjoyed talking with other employees throughout the hospital departments.  When he was not working, he enjoyed running or walking his dogs throughout the neighborhoods of Tiffin.  Some of his greatest joys were spending summers in the Outer Banks and Holiday gatherings with his large now extended family.  He would always sit in the corner and revel in the joys of his family that were brought to them by his sacrifices and courage to come to the United States. He did all of that for the love of his bride and five children.  It is with this that his legacy will forever be enshrined.

He is survived by his wife, Eleonor (Mabalay); 4 sons: Rossini Alda, Rother (Sally) Alda, Rouyn Alda, and Dr. Rugen (Hollie) Alda; daughter, Earlynne (John) Rom;  13 grandchildren: Rachel, Madison, Hunter, Sydney, Ryan, Leah, Cameron, Courtney, Jared, Hudson, Noah, Gabriel, and Hope; and 3 great grandchildren: Barrett, Brewer, and Paxton.

Rousseau is preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

Friends will be received on Monday, December 7, 2020 from 9 a.m. until a funeral service begins at 11 a.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 85 S. Sandusky St. Tiffin, Ohio 44883.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rousseau Alda, please visit our floral store.