EVERETT — Russell Flemming has never stayed in one place for long. The retired U.S. Army colonel served his country in Europe and the Middle East, in Operation Desert Storm and Washington, D.C.
With a 26-year military career behind him, he’s off to serve in a new way.
Flemming, 58, has joined the Peace Corps. He left Everett this week for the first stop on his way to Namibia in southwest Africa. He’ll spend two years teaching English and HIV/AIDS prevention in the southwest African country.
Flemming’s 27-month stint starts with a short stay in Philadelphia, where he will meet other Namibia-bound volunteers. He’ll then spend about three months being trained in the capital city of Windhoek. Staying with a host family, he will learn customs and get intensive language training. After that, he’ll be ready for his 24-month assignment.
Formerly German South-West Africa, Namibia became independent in 1990. English is its official language, but German, Afrikaans and many regional languages are spoken there.
“I could be in an urban setting, or out in the wild,” said Flemming, a Cascade High School graduate who earned a degree in management and public policy at The Evergreen State College before joining the Army.
He came by his wanderlust through his military career and upbringing. His father, Chad Flemming, of Everett, is retired from the Air Force.
“I was born in France,” Russell Flemming said. “Always keep your bags packed — that was in my blood. We moved four or five times before getting to Everett. I was in four schools before fifth grade.”
He spent his career in the Army Medical Department as a health care administrator. He has a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Washington. And after retiring from the Army in 2010, he studied creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
It was on the Wisconsin campus that he encountered a Peace Corps recruiter.
“I told him I always thought about joining the Peace Corps, and I wish I had,” Flemming said.
The recruiter told him it wasn’t too late.
Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, it has drawn generations of mostly young Americans to volunteer overseas. Today, many older people also serve.
“There is no upper age limit to join Peace Corps. We have volunteers who serve well into their 70s and 80s,” said Jeremiah McDaniel, a Peace Corps public affairs specialist in Los Angeles.
Since 1961, McDaniel said, 220,000 people have served in 140 countries. There are now 6,818 Peace Corps volunteers in 64 countries, he said. About 7 percent of them are older than 50.
Flemming brings not only Army experience, health care expertise and English skills, he is a marathoner who hopes to incorporate running into his time in Africa. He has run the Boston Marathon several times. In 2012, he came in first in his age group and 11th overall in the Keys 100 ultramarathon, from Key Largo to Key West, Florida.
“In Namibia, they have a running culture. I’m hoping I can somehow work running into my work with the Peace Corps,” he said.
Ben Conway, a Seattle-based Peace Corps recruiter, said it’s possible for volunteers to mix favorite pastimes with their assignments. “A lot of them will run a race to raise awareness about something in the community. People find ways to work their hobbies and passions into their service,” he said.
Conway also sees the Peace Corps as a great next step for military veterans.
“The biggest common trait is a general spirit of service,” he said. “Many veterans have experience working with an international team. They’re wanting to be of service in a different way.”
As for practical considerations, the Peace Corps pays a living allowance overseas, and covers medical, dental and transportation costs. To help with the transition home, volunteers receive about $9,000 after 27 months of service.
Flemming doesn’t know what he’ll do after Peace Corps, but retirement isn’t on his list. He recently volunteered as a tutor at Everett Community College. “I don’t believe in retirement,” he said.
Everett is home, but he has a habit of heading off on new adventures. “I can’t stop moving,” Flemming said.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
Learn more
The Peace Corps has 6,818 volunteers in 64 countries. About 7 percent of volunteers are over age 50. More information: www.peacecorps.gov
Ben Conway is the Seattle region’s Peace Corps recruiter. Contact him at 206-239-6613 or email: bconway@peacecorps.gov
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