Name: Celebration of Life for William Ronald Ross
Start: 2020-01-27T23:30:00.000Z
End: 2020-01-28T02:30:00.000Z
Location: Timbermine Restaurant

1928 ~ 2019
On November 23, 2019, the irrepressible and irreplaceable William Ronald Ross aka 'Fireman Frank' died in his sleep from heart failure.
At almost 92, Ron lived large. He traveled, played piano at McKay Dee Hospital, taught voice and speech. He loved Senior Sneakers and The Golden Hours Seniors Ctr.
Ron was born in his grandmother's kitchen in Ogden on January 6, 1928 to Cynthia Rosa (Taylor) and Clarence "Shorty" Ross. He played piano and marimba in the family band and attended Ogden High where he honed debate, singing and dance skills.
1946-47 Ron served in the U.S. Army as a music specialist. He attended BYU and graduated from Weber Jr. College. In the 50's and 60's he earned his BS, MFA, and Ph.D. in theatre arts, speech and ballet at the U of U. He served as asst. prof. in theatre arts at USU in the 70's. In Logan he taught readers' theatre, voice, storytelling, acting, ballet and mime.
Ron acted, sang, danced and directed more than 100 community, college, and professional theatre and ballet productions. He was Willam F. Christiansen's assistant and danced with Ballet West and U Ballet Co. including in The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker doll was even fashioned to mimic Ron's distinct nose. Ron danced two seasons with the San Francisco Opera and Ballet Company.
In 1957 he auditioned for a new children's TV show on KSL. He had no TV experience, but neither did anyone else. He became Engineer Ron, whisking viewers to Cartoonville aboard Cecil the Diesel.
1963-71 Ron was the popular cartoon-show host 'Fireman Frank' on KCPX. Fireman Frank interviewed scout troops and birthday kids in the studio audience. He doled out toys, read books, featured zoo animals and introduced cartoons. Fireman Frank rode in parades and wowed kids across the Intermountain West. Ron also introduced KCPX's Friday "Nightmare Theatre". Ron's original scripts always ended with "It's Niiiiightmaaaarreee" then a haunting laugh.
Ron sang, played the piano, marimba, vibes and trombone. He was a scuba dive master and ballroom dance competitor. He adored camping and hiking. He spent the 80's in Las Vegas where 'Doc Ross' became a high school teacher, TV weatherman, film stunt actor, theatre director/actor and an Oldsmobile Ad Exec. He briefly lived in Hawaii, but Ogden was home.
Ron was married and divorced six times: Carol Price, Carol Lynn Toms, Joan Pignataro, JoAnn Kessing, Terri Moser, Sue Abney. Ron's everlasting love was for his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and an endless stream of Shetland Sheepdogs.
Preceded in death by his parents and sister Betty Jean Haskins. Survived by children: Robyn Ross Maitland, Heather Ross (Randy Rasmussen), William Ronald Ross II (Rio). Grandchildren: Adam, Ian, Aidan, Acier, and Lily. Niece: Becky Sue DeLawder.
Ever the teacher, Ron donated his body to the U of U School of Medicine. Ron's Life Celebration will be held Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Timbermine Restaurant in Ogden. 1710 Park Drive. Entrance by the dinosaur park. Friends and fans are welcome from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Program at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to UtahOpenLands.org in Ron's name.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Jan. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Ross

15 Entries

Don Skiles

July 10, 2024

Many years ago I was a young man who was hitchhiking down on Lake Mohave in Nevada at Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina. A car pulled over to give me a ride and I immediately recognized Doc Ross as the driver (from his weatherman days in Vegas) as well as a female passenger who appeared to be a fellow newscaster.
Doc gave me a ride to to Searchlight, NV. All the way, Doc was asking me numerous questions about Lake Mohave and the natural hot springs located below Hoover Dam. It didn´t sound like Doc had ever been there before, and since I had been working/living there for several years, I gave Doc answers to all of his questions.
I didn´t want to seem like a giddy fan (even though I was), so I never let on for a moment that I knew who he was.
When he finally dropped me off in Searchlight, after I had stepped out of the car, he said "Thank you, young man. You have been a virtual fountain of information".
It was at that point where I responded by saying "Thanks, Doc!"
Doc got a huge grin on his face as they pulled away. He realized then that I knew who he was all along!
It´s not very often that someone who is a public figure or fairly famous will pull over for a hitchhiker. I guess that might shed a little light on the type of man that Doc was.

kelly perkins

January 26, 2020

I remember the first time that I met Ron, it was about ten years ago and I was awe struck. I grew up watching Fireman Frank as a child and I remembered the show and had very fond memories. Ron really did live his life to the fullest even at 90 years old. I can only hope to grow young like Ron, I will miss him and his great spirit.

Todd Woodbury

January 25, 2020

1950s

Todd Woodbury

January 25, 2020

Like many I grew up with
Ron Ross. I also had the pleasure of spending time with him a few years ago as his guitar teacher. What a indomitable and beautiful soul he was. My mother also knew and loved him as a dancer long before he was the one and only Fireman. Much love my friend.

Bobby and Rhonda Berger

January 24, 2020

I had the pleasure of cutting Ron's hair for around 15 years. It started with designing hair and eyebrows for his starring role of The Wizard in a local production of "The Wizard of Oz". After that, my Husband & I were Divemasters for Ron as he earned many levels of scuba diving.
We will miss your eccentricities, your vivacious love of life and we will miss you my friend. RIP Ron, God Speed

Nettie Priet

January 22, 2020

Ron's children, your dad gave many of us many happy mornings watching Fireman Frank and Saturday nights watching Nightmare Theater. What a loss for us baby boomers. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

January 21, 2020

I was in many shows and ballets with Ron back in the 50's and 60's. He was like a big brother, but always a task master and wanted perfection. Better give it your best if you were in the show or ballet with Ron cuz if you didn't he would let you know you could do better. always so energetic and full of life! Will miss you good friend!
Nancy Gold McFall

Kathryn Hansen Patricia Wells

January 21, 2020

From Patricia Wells and daughter Kathy Hansen . . .
Patricia taught with Ron at USU. They were good friends and allies in the Speech Communications Dept. Kathy was a student of Ron's. He utilized gestalt methods for getting to the right feeling in a theatre monologue. Years later I used his technique in a psychology therapy session to help a young person I was working with. Patricia is only 2 years younger than Ron. We are both so sorry to hear of his death.

Diane Parkin

January 20, 2020

I worked with Ron for several years at KCPX..
Not only was he talented and entertaining, but extremely knowledgable about everything he was involved in. I learned so much about television production from him. Not only was he a co-worker, but had also been married to my cousin Joan for a time. Ron gave 100% and more to every project he was involved in. He was a real gentleman and I remember him with fondness and respect.

Maurice Stacey

January 20, 2020

Never forget 1970s when he invited Bountiful Jaycee's kids to meet him at Tv Station. He and "Policeman Bill" Collard treated children and parents to great time and experience they would never forget.

Maurice Stacey Life Time member Bountiful Jaycees,, thanking you again

MIchele Margetts

January 19, 2020

Ron was a fixture of my life from a very early age, from the time he danced Herr Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker and played Fireman Frank, through his many and varied careers and multiple wives, to the phone calls that came at unexpected intervals and the regular Christmas cards of his last years. The last time we spoke he told me it was meeting my father Ralph, a professor of Theatre at the University of Utah, that convinced him he wanted to move on from ballet to theatre, but of course he didn't stop there. Ron had such a voracious curiosity that he just had to go on learning new things, mastering yet another career, picking up another instrument to study and at which to excel. I remember in grade school impulsively walking over to his house to visit him and second wife Carol Lynn right after Robin was born--and that they were kind enough to welcome and show off the new arrival to such a little visitor who appeared on their doorstep without warning. Reading over the obit, I was reminded of such things as the scuba diving and the stunt work and the move to Hawaii--how could I have forgotten those? It's just that he would dive into so many things it was inevitable that a few of them would have slipped my memory. But I remember the one eyelid dead-drop (I was young and greatly impressed). And I remember when he discovered and fell in love with all those little shelties over the years and what delight he took in training them. He always kept in touch with my father and mother and after their deaths with me, which I took as a great compliment. He shared memories and played soft jazz on the piano for the funerals of both my parents, for which I was so grateful. He was truly sui generis and there will never be another like him. I send my love and condolences to Robyn, Heather, and Ron II. Whatever challenges there were in having him as a father (and I know there were probably many!), he left you a legacy of curiosity about and enthusiasm for life and a genuine verve for being in the world.

laura reaveley

January 19, 2020

Great childhood memories!!! He brought joy to my young life.

Kim Christison

January 19, 2020

Ron, I had no idea you were so accomplished in ballet when you taught me in theatre classes at USU. I loved your classes and just being in your energetic and creative presence. Kim Christison

Dennis Cox

January 19, 2020

RIP Fireman Frank

January 17, 2020

Dear Uncie:

I miss you every day and my weather forecasts from my best friend and supporter of the last 4 years.

Our family was so special and I will always cherish the memories forever.

Love you,

"Rebecca" aka Kiddo

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