Donald Ross

1922 - 2015

Donald Ross SAN DIEGO Donald Ross, civilian submariner, acoustics expert, humanitarian and personal growth champion, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, August 24, 2015. He was born June 9, 1922 in New York City to Ruth and Sydney Ross. Don married Harriet Murphy in 1942, and they had three sons, Franklin, Bill, and Andy. He married his second wife, Nancy, in 1972. He graduated from Harvard University with a BS in physics in 1942; and completed his PhD in 1953 in Applied Physics & Engineering Science at Harvard. He spent his professional career, from 1945 to 1987, in support of the U.S. Navy in the fields of underwater noise and its reduction and submarine detection. Following World War II, he did research on topics in fluid mechanics and torpedo propellers at Pennsylvania State University. At Bell Labs in the 1950's, he participated in a major breakthrough in submarine detection. He made many trips on submarines, including the USS Cavalla and the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus. In 1971, he received the Navy's highest civilian honor for his service, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, and was a life member of the Naval Submarine League. He authored the research textbook Mechanics of Underwater Noise in 1976. From 1976 1979 he was the Deputy Director of SACLANT ASW Research Centre, La Spezia, Italy. The second half of Don's life was committed to personal growth and development, mentoring others, and volunteer work. He was a five-year volunteer with the San Diego Police Department Domestic Violence Unit, a member of the Catfish Club, and very involved with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito. Always a scholar, he immersed himself in the study of cardiology, and studied the impact of statins on the elderly. He also studied and lectured on climate change. Don is predeceased by his two wives and his son, Andy. He is survived by his sons, Franklin and his wife Donna of Hoofddorp, Netherlands, and Bill and his wife Mary of Duluth, Georgia; brother, Ken of Eugene, Oregon; sister, Wanda of Phoenix, Arizona; three grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many long-time friends.A memorial service will be held on October 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito in Solana Beach, California, 858-755-9225. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.utsandiego.com 1922 - 2015