Search by Name
Search by Name
William Rosse Heslop
February 16, 1930 - March 6, 2020
Dr. William Rosse Heslop, scientist, executive, husband, father, grandpa and friend, died peacefully at his home in Atherton, California on March 6, 2020, having recently celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends.
His life was marked by great accomplishments academically, professionally, and personally, with a close-knit family, and life-long friendships that spanned the globe. He was the quintessential Englishman, living the American Dream.
"Rosse" was born on February 16, 1930 in Darlington, England, to William and Beatrice (nee Neate), and sister, Joyce. He excelled academically and athletically, reading Chemistry at Queen's College, Oxford University where he was awarded 1st degrees - BA, BSc, MA and DPhil - in Physical Chemistry, earned a Half Blue in Athletics (track), and was a leader in the Scouting community.
At Oxford he met his beloved wife, Esther (nee Thomson). They were married at Mansfield College, Oxford in 1955, and remained happily married for 65 years.
His life's journey took him from Nottingham to Oxford, and on to ICI Explosives in Scotland, a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University near Chicago, and consulting at Arthur D. Little in Boston – all leveraging his polymer chemistry and combustion expertise.
In 1960, he joined Raychem, a start-up materials science firm in Menlo Park, California, and then settled the family in Atherton, their home for 57 years.
Rosse's career with Raychem involved revolutionary advancements in engineering. In 1967, Rosse was recruited to determine the cause of the fatal flash-fire aboard the Apollo I spacecraft at Cape Kennedy, solidifying his global expertise in commercial aviation forensic analysis.
The holder of numerous US and foreign patents, Rosse excelled in both R&D and Sales, and helped Raychem grow over the next 30+ years. Rosse thrived in the fast-paced entrepreneurial and collegial environment, where he was known for his intellect, creativity and ever-present sense of humor. The Raychem clan became family. He retired in 1990, but continued to consult with Raychem well into his seventies.
Rosse and Esther's home in California was a magnet for guests. Family, friends, friends of friends, total strangers…all were welcome. He ensured that his family remained connected to their European roots with many summers spent with family and friends overseas.
Rosse reveled in the joy of home projects in his woodshop, fixing anything, and teaching his children and grandchildren the joys of lifelong-learning and the outdoors. He and his family traveled throughout the US, treasured weekend adventures and road trips, which might end up at the beach, in the mountains or at the dump. Only Rosse could make the dump an adventure!
Left to remember the happy times they shared is his dearly beloved wife of 65 years, Esther; their children and spouses, Jacqueline Heslop McCook (Peter), Dorothy Pacini (Ken), Elizabeth Sheehy (Tom), and John Heslop (Stacy); grandchildren, Anson (Zoë), JT (Erin) and Peetie McCook, Bryan Pacini, Emma, TR and Jackson Sheehy; and many treasured extended family members and friends worldwide.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a time when there is more certainty in the world around us.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send memories, stories and photos of adventures with Rosse to [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I met Rosse through our friendship with Jacqueline and Peter and their sons. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Rosse was often the life of the party at gatherings. The last time we saw Rosse and Esther was at Anson’s wedding and they were both dancing up a storm. Raise a glass to a life we’ll lived.
Eric Aserlind
Friend
May 24, 2021
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Rosse. I have many memories of him over my lifetime as a gentle, kind, always smiling man. One of my first memories was of him on a freezing cold afternoon in February helping my Mum manage 20 boisterous oxford schoolboys attending my brothers birthday party on Shotover a large area of heathland while my Dad was on a lecture tour. Rosse was brilliant at quietly but firmly and with good humour managing the boys but also my frantic mother when one boy got lost (later found!). I remember him with great warmth and know he will be missed hugely by myself and all who knew him.
Sophie
Friend
June 4, 2020
Rosse and Esther were wonderful to all of us kids away from home at Stanford. They opened their home to us and always made us feel welcome. I will always have fond memories of graduation parties and even my own wedding shower with Jacquelin and her family. Wonderful, welcoming and brilliant - you will be missed and remembered!
jan Donnelly
Friend
June 3, 2020
AS AN OUTSIDER WHO MOVED TO THE USA IN 1980, I WILL BE HONEST AND SAY I WAS PETRIFIED. WHO IS THIS FAMILY, I'M NOT EVEN RELATED TO THEM. UNCLE ROSSE PULLED ME ASIDE AND SAID. EDWARD I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS A PART OF THIS FAMILY. I CONSIDERED THIS WONDERFUL MAN AS A SECOND FATHER. THE CHRISTMAS'S, HOLIDAY PARTIES, BIRTHDAYS ETC. WERE EXTRA SPECIAL WHEN ROSSE WAS IN THE HOUSE, WHOO WHOO, RAISE THE ROOF. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT FEELINGS THAT DREW ME TO HIM. ALL OF HIM DREW ME INTO HIM, AND YES HE REALLY MADE THE DUMP TRIPS AN OUTING. I KNOW HOW MUCH I WILL MISS HIM? I WILL MISS HIM AS MUCH AS HIS (our) FAMILY WILL MISS HIM. I WISH AUNT ESTHER MANY DAYS OF FOND AND HAPPY MEMORIES. MY DEAREST UNCLE ROSSE I HAVE ALWAYS HELD YOU IN THE HIGHEST ESTEEM. THANK YOU FOR THE FOND MEMORIES AND TIMES. MOST OF ALL THANK- YOU FOR UNCONDITIONALLY ACCEPTING AND LOVING ME FOR WHO I WAS. YOU ARE MY BRIGHT LIGHT IN THE EVENING SKY AND YOU REALLY ARE MORE THAN THAT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR ME. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF BEING IN YOUR CIRCLE. WITH ALL MY LOVE FOR ETERNITY. I LOVE YOU, EDWARD (DYKES).
EDWARD DYKES
Family
June 2, 2020
Lee Coffin
May 31, 2020
A charming, warm gentleman with a great sense of humor!
Eric Aserlind
Acquaintance
May 31, 2020
Cathy Burnweit
May 31, 2020
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more