Gilbert I. Ross

Col. Gilbert I. Ross, Ret., U.S. Army, died on Monday, August 16, 1999 at age 97, in the Rye home he had built and lived in since 1946. Col. Ross was born in New York City on March 24, 1902 to Gustave C. and Caroline Fleischman Ross. He grew up in New Haven, CT. He graduated from Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University in 1923 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an ROTC commission as 2nd Lt. in Army Ordnance. After graduation, he worked as a mechanical engineer for several years before oening his own consulting engineering firm. He lived in Belmont, MA, Cambridge, MA, and Norwalk, CT, before moving to Rye, NY, in 1938. Called back to active duty in August 1940, Col. Ross served during WWII as District Chief and Commanding Officer of the NY Ordnance District, and then as Deputy Chief and Commanding Officer of the Tank and Automotive Center in Detroit attached to the Control Branch of the Chief of Ordnance at the Pentagon. He was awarded the Legion of Merit by the Army, and the Conspicuous Service Medal by NY State for his wartime service. After WWII, Col. Ross returned to his commercial engineering career, as Officer and Director of Ross and Co., Inc., and as Proprietor of Ross & Co., Engineers & Consultants. He held licenses to practice as a Professional Engineer in various engineering disciplines in some 21 states. He was a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, active in various divisions. He was on the Council of the American Institute of Consulting Engineers, serving a term as President thereof, and was a Fellow of Consulting Engineers Council. He planned industrial plants, distribution facilities and other works. He also held positions at various times as: Pres. and Director of Mfg. Industries, Inc.; Director of Maizewood Insulation Co.; Electroweave Mfg. Co.; Fire Devices, Inc.; Haddam Mfg. Co.; and Special Consultant to Vitro Corp. of America. He was honored in "Who's Who In America" and "Who's Who in Engineering," received various engineering professional awards, and authored publications on professional practices and policies and techniques. He chaired his Yale class 60th Reunion. Col. Ross was a former member of the Yale Club of NYC, and the Rye Rotary Club. He was a member and former Trustee of the Rye Presbyterian Church. Col. Ross is survived by his wife, Loretta Kerwin Murtagh Ross of Rye, whom he married in 1975. Additional survivors are: son & daughter-in-law Gilbert H. and Bonnie S. Ross of Burlington, VT; son Robert F. Ross of Fayetteville, AR; daughter and son-in-law Carol R. and Joseph W. Moran of Larchmont, NY; stepson Robert Murtagh of Mahopac, NY; stepdaughter Cathy Murtagh Seumenicht of Mamaronck, NY; stepdaughter Barbara Murtagh LaMarte of Omaha, NB; grandson Warren R. Ross of Fayetteville, AR; granddaughter Lia Russ-Reyes of Bedford, NY; granddaughter Audrey Ross-Sanders of Buffalo, NY; granddaughter Dr. Pamela Ross-Carmichael of Poland, ME; granddaughter Glenda Ross Washburn of Newport, VA; stepgrandchildren Clifford W. Moran of Ridgefield, CT; Douglas G. Moran of Denver, CO, and Kathy S. Moran of Minneapolis, MN. He is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Jerome L. Ross and Milton J. Ross, all of Hamden, CT, and his first wife, Leslie Harrington Ross, to whom he was married from 1928 until her death in 1974. Visiting hours Wednesday, August 18, 7 to 9pm, at Graham Funeral Home, Rye. Funeral Services are Thursday, August 19th at 2pm at Rye Presbyterian Church, Rye, NY. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Meals on Wheels or United Hospital Hospice. WILLIAM H. GRAHAM FUNERAL HOME 1036 Post Road, Rye (914)967-0129