Robert (Bob) Richards Ross

Too soon for those who mourn his loss, but in God’s perfect timing, Robert R. (Bob) Ross, age 69,  of Lynchburg, Va., went to be with his blessed Lord and Savior on January 24, 2022 after a brief illness at home.

Born in Williamson, West Virginia in 1952, Bob came to be an adored son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, and neighbor.   He became a follower of Christ at an early age and loved reading scripture, studying the Bible, and listening to sound expository preaching that illuminated the gospel and glorified God alone.

He graduated from Franklin County High School (Rocky Mount, VA) in 1970, and went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Aerospace & Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech (VPI), and a master’s degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia.

He worked for The Boeing Co., Babcock & Wilcox, JLG Lifts, and then concluded his last 35 years of work in the shipbuilding industry working for Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, VA where he was an engineering team member on the nuclear fuel system division for U. S. Naval aircraft carriers and submarines.  Bob said he felt so honored to provide the careful calculations needed to help launch many carriers and subs during his career and support the safety of the soldiers and sailors who serve our country to keep us secure.  He retired to Lynchburg, VA in 2019 to continue work on his historic home and to attend to his mother who was in nursing home care at that time.

Born with boundless energy, a wonderful mind, and great athletic ability, he competed in the Soap Box Derby at an early age, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, ran track and pole vaulted in High School, hiked, biked, ran in many mini marathons and the VA Ten Miler and Mountain Masochist 50 Mile Runs, surfed, and snow skied.  He introduced his sister, niece, and nephew to skiing by buying them equipment and taking them on many fun trips to the slopes.   His favorite sport as a spectator was to cheer on his beloved “Hokies” and he served the Tidewater Hokie club as representative, faithfully recruiting new members, procuring fundraising sponsorships, travelling to games, and attending much anticipated bowl conferences with his fellow Hokie buddies, where they fondly called him “Hokie Bob”.

Bob loved people and never met a stranger. He never tired in his efforts to help anyone in need, and would stop what he was doing at the drop of a hat to help them in any way that he could.  He loved to take his many friends out to eat and enjoyed a great meal and having the fellowship of believers to bask in.     Although he regretting not marrying and having children, he counted as well as his blood relatives, “beloved family”, in all of his friends, neighbors, family by marriage, and especially the families and children at his home church, Providence Church, Lynchburg, VA.  True joy for Bob came from watching his loved ones grow and thrive in God’s love and nurture and he often spoke of the delight he found in seeing them flourish.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Charles Louis Ross, Jr, his mother, Barbara Richards Ross, and great nephew, Josell Ross Payne.  He is survived by his sister, Lou Anne Ross-Purnell, of Flowery Branch, GA, niece, “Alexandra” Betsy R. Payne of Flowery Branch, GA , nephew, Zachery A. Purnell of Denver, CO, great-nephew, Azure Payne, of Flowery Branch, GA ; cousins, Rebecca (John) McDonald of Greensboro, NC, Tuck (Debby) Richards of Roanoke, VA, Lucinda Richards of Rocky Mount, VA, Jimmy (Janice) Beckner of Rocky Mount, VA, Charlene (Richard) Lynch of Roanoke, VA, Tommy Beckner of Virginia Beach, VA, Katherine (Paul) Wagner of Richmond, VA, Victor (Sandie) Goudie of Roanoke, VA, Elmer E. (Kiki) Purnell, Jr. (father of Alexandra and Zachery) of Gainesville, GA, and a host of friends and neighbors.

And now, we must part with our good friend in the here and now, and rest in the promises that have been written down for us, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8    Not because of any works that Bob may or may not have done, but because of Christ’s finished work on the cross on his behalf,  “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”. (2 Timothy 1:10)

Viewing and visitation with family and friends will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. at Flora Funeral Home, 665 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.   The funeral service to honor God for the mercy and grace that Bob has received is on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at Providence Church, 108 Melinda Dr, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502 with a meal to follow the fellowship hall, and the burial and graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. James Methodist Church cemetery grounds, 9593 Franklin St, Ferrum, VA 24088.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Providence Church, Lynchburg, VA, the Humane Society of Lynchburg, VA, or to a charity of your choosing in Thanksgiving to God for the life of Robert (Bob) Ross.

In addition, our family would like to thank each person who has eased our grief through prayer, listening ears and hearts, kind words, the hand of friendship and fellowship, flowers, encouragement, meals, and all of the great kindnesses extended during this difficult time.  We would especially like to thank The City of Lynchburg, VA Emergency Services and Lynchburg Police Department for their gentle, kind service to Bob and quick response to our call for help, and the Lynchburg Humane Society for caring for his much-loved bunny, Chessie.