Ross Wayne Beetow

Ross Wayne Beetow, 73, of Amherst, Virginia passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018 peacefully at his residence due to complications from an aneurysm. He was the loving husband of Helen Ruth (Lambert) Beetow. Born on December 2, 1944 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Cyrus F. Beetow and the late DeLeo G. (Roberts) Beetow. He was a 1962 graduate of Springville Griffith Institute and Central School. Following graduation Ross joined the United States Navy and served honorably aboard the destroyer, USS Henderson as a radioman during the Vietnam War. Ross retired from National Fuel Gas in Buffalo, NY on February 1, 2001 after 34 years of service. Ross was a man who was always on the go and involved in many clubs and organizations. Ross was a Freemason and member of the Ismailia Temple Shrine in Buffalo New York. He was the master of the Livingstone Lodge in Colden New York. After moving to Virginia, he joined the Clinton Lodge in Amherst Virginia and become Master of that lodge as well. Ross was an avid dog lover and was a member of many Kennel Clubs. He enjoyed showing West Highland and Norwich Terriers to their championships under the prefix Whitehart Kennel with his wife Ruth and daughter Pamela. Ross was politically active and a member of the Amherst County Republican Committee and Lynchburg Tea Party. Along with his masonic brothers from the Clinton Lodge he volunteered at the Red Cross Blood drives. Ross was a man of many projects and could always be found with a tape measure or various tools in his pocket. He was always there to lend a helping hand. In addition to his wife of 50 years, Ross is survived by his daughters, Christine Beetow of Vernon, WI, and Pamela Miller (husband Daniel, stepson River) of Hillsborough, NC and; brother, Nelson Beetow and wife Elaine of Greece, NY; sister, Barbara Cunningham and husband Mark of Middleport, NY; and numerous other family members and friends. A celebration of life service will be held at 10 am on June 16, 2018 at Whitten Monelison Chapel, with Celebrant Polly Starnes officiating. Masonic Rites and Military Honors will be presented. In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project.