Walter B. Ross

I was introduced to Walter Ross by my first tuba teacher, Barton Cummings. Midnight Variations and Piltdown Fragments were written for him, works I performed myself over the years. Walter also wrote two tuba works for me as well. He was an amazingly kind and thoughtful man. We carried on correspondence for many years although not as often in recent years. I will miss him but his legacy lives on.

A Standing Ovation to a Continuing Inspiration!

I am so sorry for your loss, Professor Marion Ross. I know you don´t remember me because we never spoke to each other; but you impacted my life in ways you will never know. You opened my eyes to the World having come from the small rural community of Madison County Virginia. I was in one of your Introductory Anthropology classes in 1973-1974, I think in was titled - Human Society. I remember your discussions about the time you spent in Argentina and much more; it was all very interesting and...

I've been playing Walter's music for decades, in a woodwind quintet and bassoon quartet and even as soloist in the premiere of his bassoon concerto. I've always been struck by Walter's clear intent that every player find something interesting in his or her part. On a separate note, as a college student Walter was chosen to represent the University of Nebraska for the TV quiz show College Bowl which is now being reincarnated by one of the networks. Walter was a man of broad interests. Perhaps...

Dear Marion, Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I remember Walter as a warm, supportive, and sympathetic colleague with a fine sense of humor. His hobby of collecting the word for "pencil" in as many languages as he could was one of the quirky endearing things that we always remember when we think of him. May the memory of a life well-lived give you comfort. Michelle (and Justin)