Donald Ross III

Donald Ross III Passed away on January 21st, 2013 at the age of 80. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Jane (O'Malley), and his parents Elizabeth Douglass Winfield and Donald Ross Jr. His is survived by his loving children, Deirdre Ross McMahon, Donald Ross IV and Donald's wife Susan, and Janet Elizabeth Ross. He is also survived by his grandchildren Olivia Susan Ross and Derek Donald Ross. His beloved sister Karen Ross Monahan preceded him in death in 2004, leaving six beloved nephews and nieces, Katherine, Charles, Jane, Mary, Ann and Patrick. Don was born in Brooklyn Heights, NY on December 18, 1932 and graduated from Poly Prep in Brooklyn, becoming the schools first alumnus in its then 90 year history to attend Stanford University, graduating in 1954. He served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps with the Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. Don later served with the Marine Corps Active Reserves, being selected for the rank of Major, before traveling duties in his civilian employment compelled him to request an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps. He spent over forty years in the insurance industry, most of it in the reinsurance sector of the industry. Along the way, Don attended the Graduate School of business at New York University, earned a Fellowship in the Life Management Institute and following his retirement from Phoenix Life as a Regional VP, Don went on to earn a paralegal certificate at Sonoma State University after 19 months of night school while working a post-retirement job as VP of Gene Noble & Associates in Novato, CA. This was a considerable shift from a reinsurance area between Tokyo and Chicago, but was thoroughly enjoyable tour of duty with his old friend Gene. He also served two consecutive terms on the Marin County Grand Jury. Don's first non-family, non-job loyalty was always to Stanford University when he served seven terms as president of the Stanford Alumni Club of Marin/Sonoma-later of Marin County only. His terms were spread over three separate decades and Don considered his election to Stanford Associates as his most cherished honor. This group consists of approximately 1% of all Stanford Alumni. Memorial Services will be confined to family. Interment will be at Golden Gate National Cemetery, beside his wife Jane and twin son John, along with military honors. Any contributions to the Children's Home Society of Marin would be gratefully appreciated. Semper Fi and Go Big Red!