Phil Gross

Iowa Falls - Phil Gross, 86, formally of Iowa Falls, passed away, July 4, 2020, at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. Funeral services are pending with the Surls Funeral of Iowa Falls. A private graveside service will be in Iowa Falls due to Covid virus. The Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is assisting the family.

Phil was born on July 27, 1933, Des Moines, Iowa the son of Harold Royce Gross and Hazel Webster Gross. He graduated from Washington, D.C. high school. With student, Ron Nessor, in high school Phil produced a radio broadcast. He attended Kingsport Merchant Marine Academy until called to serve in the Army during Korean conflict. After discharge Phil attended University of Iowa receiving a combined undergraduate degree and L.L.B. He later received a Masters of Business Administration Degree from The American University, Washington, D.C. concentrating on Financial Management with Distinction.

While in law school at the University of Iowa Phil and Mary Christine Hansen were married on October 11, 1959 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls and upon moving to Washington, D.C. Mary was inspection supervisor for Oscar B. Hunter School of Technology and Quality Control in Washington D.C. hospital while Phil entered public service in the federal government.

As an attorney, Phil served as Bremer County Attorney and then served his country in Washington, D.C. in these various positions: Attorney Advisor, Division of Corporate Finance, Security Exchange Commission; Supervisory Attorney, Division of Corporate Regulation; Senior Attorney, U.S. Securities And Exchange Commission; Trial Attorney and Senior Investigative Attorney, Division of Enforcement. He received U.S. Department of Justice Certificate of Appreciation for his investigations on the Enron Task Force.

Upon retirement to Iowa, he continued to serve others by volunteering for Iowa Legal Aid, providing assistance and advice to elderly and low-income. He was a Regulatory Compliance Specialist, Consumer Safety Technology, LLC, Urbandale.

He is preceded in death by his father, Congressman H.R. Gross and mother and brother Colonel Alan Gross, USAF, retired and infant brother.

He was an avid reader, reading three newspapers each day and read books on business and political books and articles. For relaxation he was a devoted jogger and enjoyed weekends at the ocean.

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

Published by the Des Moines Register from Jul. 6 to Jul. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Phil Gross

Sponsored by Surls Funeral Home - Iowa Falls.

8 Entries

Tina Fukunaga

July 3, 2025

Anniversary memories abound of the great U.S. SEC legend, Phil Gross. His dear wife, Mary, joined him on November 18, 2022. They are together for eternity. One great story of Phil's was that his father was the news commentator for WHO (AM) in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1935. The young sports announcer was Ronald Reagan. Phil often talked about Ronald Reagan visiting their home and playing with his train set, which he broke inadvertently.

tina fukunaga

June 30, 2022

It seems as only yesterday I was listening to the stories of Phil Gross. Think of you often and wish the very best to his love, Mary Christine. Hope you are enjoying the library where you are reading!!!

Tina Fukunaga

July 6, 2021

On the anniversary of the passing of my friend and mentor, Phil Gross, I think of two other greats who left us on July 4, namely, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. I think of Phil during this week, missing him with many memories of his brilliance, kindness, stories, and love of his work and mission on earth. I was his dedicated librarian for many years at the USSEC. He told me as the son of H R Gross, the distinguished Congressman from Iowa who was previously a newscaster at KXEL in Waterloo, Iowa with then sportscaster Ronald Reagan, that the future POTUS Ronald Reagan would often come to their house. Once, Phil was playing with his train set and Ronald Reagan accidentally broke a track. Hope your "eighth notch" ride together can continue until we all meet again.

Tina Fukunaga

July 22, 2020

It is my distinct privilege to have known Phil Gross for decades. I was his librarian at the US Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington DC. He was a daily visitor of the library; researching, discussing the history of the Commission, mentoring me, discussing many topics, often reading the same books. His dedication, his kindness, his truth in life will never be forgotten.

Paula Marshall Zimdars

July 8, 2020

A friend emailed a link to Phils obituary. Mom(Pauline Marshall) will be told about Phils passing when I finally am allowed into the Memory Care unit to see her. She will remember you both Im sure. Warm hugs Mary, in your time of grief. Phil was an outstanding man and humane being.

Jim and Dee Vickery

July 7, 2020

Peace to Mary and to her relatives and friends near and far. We shall visit you when we return to #1112 @ SRP after the pandemic lessens.

John Conrad

Sent Flowers

John Conrad

July 6, 2020

Phil Gross was an outstanding man and very good friend. A brother Mason who always had a kind word to say And good advice to heed. He is very much missed.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results