Ross Bennett Hummell

HUMMELL, Ross Bennett (age 59) of Nashville after a lengthy illness. Preceded in death by his mother, Joan Lapin Hummell; maternal grandparents, Ann Cutler Lapin and Arthur Robert Lapin; paternal grandparents, Martha Ellenstein Hummell and Arnold “Al” Hummell. Survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Anne Perler Hummell; father Burton H. Hummell (Linda) of Nashville, brothers Art Hummell (Mady) of Nashville, Reed Hummell (Taylor) of Kingston Springs; brother-in-law Marc Perler (Paulette) of Tupelo, MS, sister-in-law Lynne Perler (Martin Larson) of Nashville; many nieces and nephews, including Reace Hummell, Reilly Hummell, Ethan Hummell, Keith Perler (Melissa), Stephanie Garst (Barry), Andrea Sour, and Chad Sour (Jill). Ross distinguished himself academically, in business, and as an entrepreneur. Born in Chicago, Illinois on July 1, 1957, he attended San Mateo High School (San Mateo, CA) and University High School (Los Angeles, CA) before receiving an undergraduate degree with honors in psychology from UCLA. Ross relocated to Tennessee in 1980 and pursued a masters degree in business administration at the University of Tennessee/Knoxville. He led a small team of graduate school students to a first place finish in the Southeastern Conference’s annual mock business contest in 1982. After graduation, Ross joined SYSCO Corporation in Houston, Texas as a Procurement Officer before being promoted to Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Robert Orr-SYSCO in Nashville. Later, Ross was promoted to Executive Vice President of Tartan-SYSCO in Philadelphia, and then returned to Robert Orr-SYSCO as the Senior Vice President of Operations. In 1997, he led an asset purchase of White Way Cleaners and was elected president. After selling the business in 2002, Ross founded ProClean Services of Tennessee, and it grew to become one of the largest independent restaurant chemical/institutional warewash distributors in Middle Tennessee. An avid reader, dog-lover, and a lifelong Oakland A’s and Raiders fan, Ross was equally comfortable troubleshooting computer networking issues or correctly answering every Jeopardy question on TV, as he was with tackling major plumbing and electrical repairs. Known by many as a quiet intellectual, his close friends and family also appreciated his dry wit and infectious laugh. The Hummell family wishes to thank Ross’ medical team and the staff of St. Thomas West’s 7C ward for their tireless care and diligence. A celebration of life will be scheduled in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to the American Cancer Society’s Patient Transportation program or a charitable organization of your choice.