Obituary
Donald Ross was born Donald Rothfarb on February 26, 1932 in Bronx, New York. He was the youngest son of Rose and Jack Rothfarb, who emigrated from Poland when they were children, and had one older brother, Irwin (who passed away in 2010). Don had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, and enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in New York City.
When just seventeen years old, Don met the love of his life, Lorraine Kalin. After graduating high school and a few more years of courtship, the two married on July 13, 1952. But their newlywed time together was short-lived, as Don had joined the Navy in 1951 to serve his country in the Korean War. He was stationed on the USS Tarawa, an aircraft carrier, where he was an aviation ordnanceman responsible for loading the planes with munitions and clearing the deck of bombs that fell off during landings. As a seaman, Don saw the world, though thankfully no combat, and he made the rank of third class petty officer before being honorably discharged in 1955. Don loved his time in the Navy, proudly donning his USS Tarawa baseball cap and Navy t-shirts throughout his life – only swapping them for his Yankees gear.
With his service over, Don and Lorraine started a family, and eventually had three children: Linda, Scott (who passed away in 2018), and Richard. As the Navy traveled Don all over the globe, so too did his career as the CEO and then international manager of manufacturing companies. From the Bronx, where he worked with his brother for a time, to North Carolina, to Chicago, to Johannesburg, to Los Angeles, Don and Lorraine showed their kids the world.
After three years in South Africa, they moved to LA where, at 50 years old, Don decided to learn how to horseback ride. He fell in love with it and bought a horse: Dreamgirl. He and Dreamgirl rode all throughout Griffith Park, even leading trail rides for the fun of it. Also for the fun of it, he’d regale the mounted tourists with coakamamie stories about the history of the area that he’d spin out of thin air. Don loved to laugh, and had a sharp wit and intellect. It tickled him that there was likely a Kansas couple somewhere that still believed he’d unearthed a Tyrannosaurus skeleton while out riding one day.
Don and Lorraine’s children all married and had children of their own. Linda married Patrick Hammer and had Meredith, Sean, and Ryan; Scott married Dawn Yost (they divorced some years later) and had Courtney and Johnathan; and Richard married Libby Palomeque and had Kalin. Don absolutely adored his grandchildren, and loved being their Grandpa Don.
In 1996, Don and Lorraine retired, and moved to Surprise, Arizona where they found a welcoming community of new friends. Don played in a softball league – he made a formidable first baseman – while Lorraine acted in plays, and they both snuggled their beloved dog, Mikey. They had many pups throughout their lives, but Mikey was special.
Also special were the grandkids-in-law and many great grandchildren who began showing up! Meredith Hammer married George Sefa and had Ziva and Malachi; Sean Hammer married Jaji Crocker (Hammer) and had Patrick, James, and Nolan; Ryan Hammer married Jenny Leitschu (they have since divorced) and had Caden, Bentley, and Ashton; Courtney Ross married Tony Logli and had Blayke and Landon; and Johnathan Ross married Renee and had JJ. And hopefully there are more to come!
Eventually, Don and Lorraine decided they wanted to be closer to many of their progeny, so they moved back to Chicagoland in 2013. They found a place just down the road from their daughter, Linda, son-in-law, Patrick, and nearly all of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. And they cherished the visits from their “genius son, Richie,” (as Don called him), daughter-in-law (“dear dawter”), Libby, and youngest granddaughter, Kalin, who all flew in often from California. Don and Lorraine got to be an integral part of so many happy family occasions. So many births and birthdays and Thanksgivings and ordinary Saturdays with bagels and lox and lox of laughs (badum psh).
Because Grandpa Don found such joy just hanging with his grandkids and great grandkids. And they all found such joy just hanging with their Grandpa Don and their Nana Lorrie – noshing on ganache cake, discussing politics, and one-upping each other ‘til their sides were sore from laughter! In fact, Grandpa Don had a big, booming cackle that was so incredibly satisfying, Meredith, Sean, and Jaji would compete to see who could get the loudest guffaw out of him.
And then, after 89 years and 11 months living a good, fulfilling life – having consumed countless everything bagels with lox (no cream cheese) and watched his beloved Yankees win 24/27 World Series Championships – Donald Ross passed away at home, clad in a Navy t-shirt, and surrounded by family. And, as she was for 69 years, Lorraine was right by his side.
Donald/Don/Dad/Paw/Grandpaw/Grandpa Don is already deeply missed and will forever be loved.
Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123, www.cancer.org or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, 17th floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601, www.alz.org.
Memorial service will be on Friday, February 25, 12 Noon at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 N. Buffalo Grove Road (One block north of Lake Cook Road) Buffalo Grove. Interment Private. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com
Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals. www.chicagojewishfunerals.com