Edwin Stuart Ross VI

Edwin Stuart Ross was born on April 22, 1943 to Edwin and Christine Ross in New Brunswick, NJ. With a younger brother Michael, Ed grew up in New Hyde Park, NY.

As a youngster, Ed delivered medications on his bicycle for a local drugstore. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset in 1960 and earned his income during the summers doing litter maintenance at Jones’ Beach and selling tires in a local department store. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Dayton, OH, and completed Reserve Officer's Training Corp and joined the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. During this time, he met Pamela Snyder who was attending nursing school and they married on February 5, 1966.

From 1967-1968, Ed served in the Vietnam War. He was in charge of a POW hospital and small clinics, the leader of a medical battalion, and was responsible for cleaning up the aftermath of battles. He helped save many lives. He also served in the 6th Special Forces Group. Ed remained active duty for ten years in the Medical Service Branch.

Ed and Pam had three wonderful children together, Stuart, Stephen and Sarah between 1969-1975. While the children were growing up, the Army required Ed and his family to move frequently. His oldest child, Stuart, was born in Texas, his second child, Stephen, was born in Colorado and his youngest child, Sarah, was born in Okinawa, Japan.

When he returned to civilian life, Ed became the Director of Sterile Processing at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital in Galveston, TX and then as an Associate Vice President of American Medical International (AMI) in Atlanta, GA. He also earned a MA in Education from USC. In 1985, they finally settled in the small town of Newhall in southern California where Ed created a "corporate" hospital college for AMI's senior executives in Beverly Hills, CA, and then joined Laventhal and Horwath auditing firm which started up a healthcare division in Los Angeles.

Ed decided to expand his small consulting business that he had started as a part time endeavor called Applied Healthcare Research, Inc. (AHRI). It became a full-fledged corporation and he devoted all his energies to it. He also became a part-time Joint Commission on Healthcare Accreditation Surveyor. In this role he was instrumental in helping draft standards on various healthcare subjects such as handling of medical mishaps, creating appropriate environments and proper medication management within medical facilities. Pam also became his business partner and worked closely by his side. During this time he continued on as an Army Reservist for sixteen years and was promoted to full Colonel. Prior to his retirement from the Army, he made the general's list, making him Colonel promotable.

Ed was an avid collector of coins, stamps, military items and family heirlooms. He was immersed in the history of WWII and the Civil War and loved to read stories, documentaries and books about them. Genealogy became a passion and he was able to trace his family heritage back several hundred years. He enjoyed traveling and loved having his family experience many cities and cultures. Teaching, mentoring and encouraging others was something he was especially good at. He enjoyed refereeing soccer games along with his oldest son and grandson. Several years ago, Ed and Pam learned to sail and would go sailing together whenever they could get the chance. He also loved to tell and hear funny jokes -- the sillier the better.

Until recently, Ed worked steadily with his consulting business, spent as much time as he could with his grandchildren, and helped care for his beautiful backyard garden and koi pond. He especially enjoyed irises, daisies, sunflowers and succulents and was forever planting something depending on the season. This past February, Ed and Pam celebrated their 50th anniversary. They continued to raise their children and watch their grandchildren grow while living in the same home in Newhall for the past 30 years. Ed continued to work vigorously until last December when his declining health prevented him. After several medical interventions, he succumbed to complications of a brain tumor.

With his family by his side, Ed passed away peacefully after several months struggle, on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the home of his daughter, Sarah Webster. He is survived by his loving family: his wife, Pam; his three children, Stuart and his wife Cari, Stephen and his wife Hien, Sarah and her husband Mike; his five grandchildren, Stu (18) and Holly (15) Ross, Abby (13), Emily (10) and Andrew (8) Webster. Ed is also survived by the many people in his life that he inspired and encouraged.

The family expresses its deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support by all of Ed's extended family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, close acquaintances and caregivers. For the last 2 weeks of his life, Vitas Hospice provided loving care and support along with Joe, his 24 hour caregiver, to Ed and his entire family.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 27 at Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary followed by a reception at the family home in Newhall. On Saturday, May 28, there will be a military honor interment at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

We are so grateful to Vitas Hospice Care that in lieu of flowers, we hope for donations to be made to support their work. Please visit www.vitas.com/donate. You may tribute the gift in memory of Edwin Stuart Ross VI and designate the location to San Fernando, CA. For mail in donations, see the attached file or send to VITAS Community Connection, c/o VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 16830 Ventura Blvd, Suite 315, Encino, CA 91436 and indicate it’s for the memory of Ed Ross at the San Fernando, CA location.

A legacy of cherished memories has been left behind. Ed will be especially remembered for his drive to succeed and for always wanting his children to be the best they can be. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember him.

Ed, thank you for being the stronghold and bond that held this family together. You will be truly missed and forever in our hearts.

You are now safe in the arms of our Lord. Rest in Peace.