A Tribute to Ross


Portrait by Herbert Abrams

Ross died of a sudden heart attack on Valentine's Day (2003). Ross' three sons –– Bryce (Leigh), Lyle and Ian –– each gave a eulogie at his funeral at Carolyn's request. His life-long friend, Herbert Abrams, wrote a memorial, which Bryce read at the service. Peggy also wrote a memorial. Here are the texts of those tributes: EULOGIES.

Obituaries were published in The Maine Sentinel (previously the Waterville Morning Sentinel, where Ross got his start in journalism), The Kennebec Journal (Ross & Carolyn's local paper), and the Times Record of Brunswick (Bryce & Peggy's local paper), and the New York Times. They are reproduced here: OBITUARIES.

In honor of Ross' 80th birthday, in 2001, the family threw a surprise party for him, to which ninety-some friends and relatives came. Bryce (Leigh) read a roast biography at the party, and that text is included here: ROSS ROAST.

There are surprisingly few pictures of Ross. A collection of photographs is posted here: ALBUM. If you have any others, we'd love to see them –– and post them here.

This Epitaph by Robert Burns was written in memory of a friend, William Muir. Robbie Burns farmed in the same neighborhood Ross' ancestors came from, and it would be nice to think Wm. Muir was kin. These words are a fit tribute for Ross, too.

On Wm. Muir in Tarbolten Mill

An honest man lies here at rest,
As e're God with his image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his –– with virtue warmed,
Few heads with knowledge so informed:
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.