Melvin Andrew "Andy" Ross

Melvin Andrew “Andy” Ross was born January 25, 1943, and passed away September 3, 2025, after many years of dedicated care from his beloved wife, Sandy. Andy was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Melvin and Jane Ross, and grew up in Bexley, where he developed many interests that would weave through his life, including a love of music and a fascination with machines. He was a natural artist, like his mother, but unlike her, he only wanted to paint tugboats. After painting a really good tugboat, he put away his brushes and turned to more mechanical pursuits. Fortunately, he was also a very talented craftsman (foreshadowing). He graduated from Bexley H.S. in 1960, and attended The Ohio State University, earning his B.A. in 1964 and his J.D. in 1967, graduating top 10. Andy worked as an Assistant Prosecutor for Franklin County before moving to a shared private practice with his brother, Stan.

It was during Law School that Andy began building steam engines, first from kits which he would heavily modify to meet his standards, and then from scratch, because it was easier to just make them himself. His engineering ambitions rekindled, he soon became fascinated by the Stirling Engine, invented by Robert Stirling in 1816. For more info, google “Andy Ross Stirling”- it’s pretty interesting. In addition to patents and consulting, he wrote several books on the subject and was always generous with advice and guidance for his fellow enthusiasts. More important than the impact of his work, though, were the many lifelong friends that he made in the “Stirling World” and beyond. It must be noted that his craftsmanship and creative mind delighted his children, who appreciated his delicate carvings, sculptures, wonderful series of tugboat paintings and, of course, all of the A plusses that he earned on their elementary school science projects. His love of music began in early school with the recorder, which he continued to play throughout his days. Later in life, he taught himself violin. He would often regale friends and family with a beautiful rendition of Ashokan Farewell.

After two previous marriages, and three children, Andy met and married Sandy Kapp in 1989. Both shared a passion for flying, earning their pilot’s licenses and building a home and airstrip in Union County. Andy’s love of nature took on a new perspective as he explored and photographed the beautiful Ohio countryside from his airplane with the doors off.

Andy generously supported causes that he believed in, including Columbus Humane, The Columbus Symphony, Compassion & Choices, Freedom From Religion Foundation, and many others. He was a longtime supporter of public media and was well known to listeners as a frequent caller. He and Sandy recently directed a leadership campaign to fund the new home for WOSU Public Broadcasting on 14th Avenue. In 2019, he realized his dream of a scale model of the solar system through a joint project with The Ohio State University, which can be viewed publicly on the OSU campus, stretching from The Chemical and Bio-Molecular Engineering and Chemistry Building on Woodruff Avenue all the way to Chadwick Arboretum. He was fascinated with the scale of the universe and our little blue planet’s place in it. Andy’s legacy is a tribute to his curious and quick mind, his craftsmanship, and his honest, optimistic nature. He taught his children the values of fairness and gratitude, leading by example. He always emphasized education, as well as creativity. It’s a challenge to summarize a life as full and well-lived as Andy’s—it’s like trying to capture the immensity of the solar system in a few city blocks.

Andy is survived by his wife, Sandy, his daughter Susannah (Kevin Barney), his sons, Brendan (Laura) and Bryce (Katy), his stepsons Ryan Kapp (Mary Beth) and Justin Kapp, and grandchildren Declan, Vassar, Ella, Liam, Will, Sebastian, Estyn, Riley, and Colette. He is deeply missed by his family and will live on in our hearts and minds.

The family would like to send a special thank you to family friend, Kelly Schultz; as well as to all of the wonderful care-givers and Pastor Murphy at Roxbury Cottages in First Community Village. Your warmth and compassion will never be forgotten by his family.

A Memorial gathering will be held at First Community Village’s Chelsea Club Room on Saturday September 20th, 11AM-1PM. If you want to support one of Andy’s passions, please consider a donation to WOSU public radio.