Message on the passing of Robert 'Bert' A. Ross
The following message was sent to the campus community July 18, 2018. - Ed.
It is with sadness that I share Robert “Bert” A. Ross of Toano, VA passed away July 13, 2018. Bert started work at the college in 1986 as an hourly warehouseman, and later that year he became an hourly carpenter. In 1988 he became a full-time carpenter. Over the next thirty years, he worked as a carpenter as well as a multi-trade master mechanic. During his career he completed his welding certification and frequently practiced his craft. A memorable project Bert worked on was the re-piping for the heating system in the Landrum Hall mechanical room.
Bert was a quiet professional, always on time and ready to work. He was well-liked by customers and willing to take on any task to help the college, especially the students. Over the years, he worked in every building on campus and was a great resource for historical information on our facilities.
Outside of work, he loved restoring old cars including a beautiful 1951 Chevy Coupe and a 1960 Ford F-100 pickup. He proudly displayed both of these in car shows and the local holiday parade. Occasionally, on nice days, the F-100 could be admired in the Facilities Management parking lot. Bert also enjoyed building scale models of classic cars.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.
Samuel E. Jones
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
William & Mary
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
