Richard W. Ross

Richard W. Ross
February 14, 1930 - August 15, 2022
Richard died at 92 quite unexpectedly on August 15th and we will miss him so much. In recent years, his mobility was reduced but he was still cooking and caring for himself with a little help from a few of his friends. He was an excellent chef who gave slightly raucous dinner parties and regaled us with music from a gigantic collection of the American popular song and classical music works and artists. Until his mobility intervened, he went to Europe every year, always including time in Paris visiting with friends. He had lived in Paris and New York but eventually settled in San Francisco permanently.
Born in Berkeley and raised in Richmond, he was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law. We are fortunate he created his own family among friends (and cats) and kept in regular touch with everyone. Richard retired as a music librarian from the San Francisco State University Library as "Librarian Emeritus" in 1992. He had a dramatic arts AB and a Masters in Library Science from UC Berkeley and an MA in French from SF State. He generously donated to local performing arts, animal welfare and to organizations protecting the environment and addressing climate change.
There will be no service or memorial at his request. Feel free to donate to a non-profit of your choice in his honor. "Love the earth and sun and animals, Despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks." Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, 1855. Vinderslev45@gmail.com