Ross Vincent Soboleff

1951 - 2018

Off to catch the king salmon opening and the start of troll season, Ross Vincent Soboleff died of cancer on July 3, 2018. Ross was born in Juneau, Alaska, at St. Ann's Hospital on September 13, 1951, the same year that his great uncle, Vincent Soboleff died. Ross was the fourth and youngest child of Walter and Genevieve (nee Ross) Soboleff. He was a member of the Haida Frog Clan, 'World House' from Howkan and given the name Staast. He was also adopted by Cyril Zuboff into the Angoon Killer Whale clan, 'Killer Whale Chasing Seals House', and given the name Eeech' Te'. He is a child of the Angoon Dog Salmon, from the 'House in the Middle of Town'. He is a grandchild of the Angoon Brown Bear.

Although as a child he suffered from rheumatic fever, Ross recovered to lead a full, active, and creative life. His mother once said, 'That Ross, he's a, go-getter'. Whatever interest or path Ross pursued, he accomplished, making friends and positive impressions.

Ross grew up in Juneau, but his fondest memories are of summers with his mother and father and brother, Walter, Jr., in Tenakee Springs at their family home. This is where his father took a break from his active public life and spent time with his family. Tenakee is where Ross first caught, 'the fishing bug' while hand trolling with his father and learned to smoke fish with his mother. Ross recalled time in Tenakee with Ole Taug, Sr., 'the best hunter he knew.'

A 1969 graduate of Juneau High School, classmates that impacted his life were Molly Smith, George Chapman, and Billy Ray. After graduation, Ross attended Occidental College in Los Angeles where he also indulged his passion and love of live music attending memorable concerts. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Communications and returned to Juneau to pursue a career in his degree. At this time it was important to him to begin educating himself more seriously in his Haida and Tlingit heritage performing in Yun Shu Ka and other dance groups, and taking language classes.

His work with Sealaska Corporation as the Vice President of Communications brought him into contact with elders who were stepping forward to help the Native community transition into the formation of new Corporations as a result of the Land Claims Settlement act of 1976 and to heal from decades of repression and discrimination. Cy Peck, Sr., Cyril Zuboff, Clarence Jackson, and his father, were brilliant public speakers and orators. When listening to these men, Ross admired that they spoke with care and respect while addressing the subject at hand; knew their clan history and who they were; and uplifted and unified their audience.

In the 90s, he began building a 40' power troller in his garage based off a New England Tancook Whaler hull. He mused that the neighbors were very patient with him as the years and then decade went by. Continuing to travel to Tenakee to fish and hunt, in his 21' Saber-Craft, 'Genevieve', he also spent time in Angoon and was grateful to be welcomed into the community. At this time he realized that the people that he most admired were able to integrate their Native culture with Christianity and he stepped back into his Christian upbringing. He was grateful to have many years with his father who he turned to for personal counsel and guidance.



In 2005, he launched his boat the 'Madeline Ruby,' fishing it every summer thereafter. In 2006, under the watchful approval of the downtown pool sauna regulars he met, and later married, Jane Lindsey. At this time, Ross worked for six years as a seasonal legislative aide at the State Capitol. In 2011, he ran and won a seat on the Sealaska Board, as an independent candidate, where he served as the chair of the Governance Committee, working to promote ethical transparency, and financial success for the Corporation and its shareholders.

Ross' lifelong love for Tenakee remained strong traveling back as frequently as possible to hunt, fish, remodel his house, play guitar, and sing with the Tenakee band.

Ross is preceded in death by his father and mother Walter and Genevieve Soboleff. He is survived by his wife Jane Lindsey and her two children, Thomas (Alena), and Lydia Mills; four children, Jacob, Nathan (Angie Wright), Madeline Levy, (Trinidad Contreras), and Ruby Soboleff, grandchildren, and many more who loved him.

A celebration of life will be held for Ross in Tenakee Springs, September 14, 2018. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Tenakee Springs Bath House Fund, P.O. Box 642, Tenakee Springs, Alaska, 99841.