Don Ross Obituary

Ross
Don Ross
December 3, 1944
January 20, 2025

Don Ross, a cherished husband, devoted father, lifelong learner, and dear friend to many, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, at the age of 80, surrounded by his closest family. His life was a rich tapestry woven with passions, accomplishments, and an unwavering love for his family, friends, and his loyal dog, Ricky.
Don grew up in sunny California and embarked on his academic journey by studying physiology at the University of California, Berkeley. There, he had the honor of learning from brilliant minds, including Nobel Laureate Melvin Calvin. Don often joked, 'My claim to fame was pumping gas for Mr. Photosynthesis,' though he was also a student in Calvin's class. During his college summers, Don served in the U.S. Forest Service, where he built trails, fought wildfires, and collected a trove of adventurous stories—tales that later became the cherished bedtime favorites of his three children.
After college, Don decided to pursue a career in medicine. He moved to Arizona and graduated in the founding class of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He then served in the U.S. Army as a medical doctor. He was stationed in Germany, where he embraced local culture, learned German, and skied around the Alps during his free time. After leaving the Army Don completed a fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and moved to Colorado Springs, where he established his own private family medicine practice and served the local community for several decades. When he retired from private practice, he dedicated himself to building the family garden with the same energy and determination he had devoted to his medical career. If addressed as Dr. Ross, he would often correct people with a smile, saying, "I'm a gardener now." However, Don's retirement proved to be premature when his children discovered him guarding the garden from deer with a slingshot and a pile of marbles. After some encouragement, he un-retired and returned to medicine, this time working as a doctor in emergency rooms across Colorado for a few days at a time. After several years he retired again, this time for good. Don firmly believed in the concept of "food as medicine" and he was convinced that balanced, nutritious eating could greatly enhance the length and quality of life. He emphasized this connection between health and diet in his family life and his medical practice. Don was known among his patients and colleagues for his compassion, empathy and dedication. He cared for the whole person, not just the illness, and helped thousands of Coloradans to live healthier lives.
Don was an energetic athlete who loved to explore the great outdoors and push his physical limits in just about every way: hiking, skiing, scuba diving, playing tennis, even climbing in the Garden of the Gods. In his younger years Don was an avid runner, participating in local marathons and races up and around Pikes Peak. His running achievements were chronicled in the local newspaper, and he featured in a series about "The Bionic Doctors," a group of local physicians who raced together for many years. After a hip replacement impeded his running, Don embraced a new passion for cycling, demonstrating his resilience and determination. He cycled almost daily, forging strong friendships with others who shared his adventurous spirit—particularly those who braved the challenging Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs.
Don was a constant learner with a wide-ranging curiosity about life and a deep passion for knowledge. He loved to exercise his mind by learning and practicing new languages. In recent years, long visits to Europe with his family sparked a deep appreciation for French culture and cuisine. In typical "Don Ross" fashion, he then dedicated countless hours to gaining fluency in French so that he could converse with shopkeepers at local markets on his next trip to France. Practicing his new phrases with family, he would say "une des raisons pour vivre jusqu'a 100 ans est qu'il y a tant a manger!"—"One reason to live to 100 is there is so much to eat!" Don had an unwavering love for good food, delighting in the art of cheese and wine and earning a reputation as an accomplished bread baker whose kitchen was always filled with creativity and joy. A self-proclaimed audiophile, he immersed himself in music spanning genres and centuries, finding beauty in every note. An insatiable reader, he devoured everything from 2,000-page molecular biology textbooks to classics like War and Peace. Whatever piqued his curiosity, Don pursued it with unrelenting energy and passion, inspiring those around him with his boundless enthusiasm for life and the wonderful delights therein.
Above all, Don deeply cherished his family. His legacy of love, curiosity, and zest for life will live on in their hearts. His bond with his children and family pets was a cornerstone of his life. He loved his wife deeply, frequently remarking that his marriage was "jump for joy wonderful!". He is survived by his wife Yvonne Sletta Ross; his son Kurt Ross; his daughter Erika Ross Ellison; his son-in-law Jon Ellison; his sister, Kay Gray and her family. He is predeceased by his son Kreg Ross.
A come and go celebration of Don's life will be held on February 2, 2025, from 1-4 PM at the Cliff House in Manitou Springs, Colorado (306 Cañon Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829). There will be a toast to his life and opportunity to share stories at 2 PM. All who knew Don are invited to honor him by sharing stories, laughter, and some of his favorite foods. As we gather to celebrate this extraordinary and relentlessly positive man, let us reflect on his passion for life and reminder to savor all that it has to offer—especially the simple joys like food and connection. His boundless appetite for life and the joy he brought to others will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Don's memory by making a donation in his name to Friends of Old Stage & Gold Camp Roads, an organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the beautiful landscapes he so dearly loved. Donations can be made through their website: https://ppora.org/events/friends-of-old-stage-gold-camp-roads. Thank you for helping to celebrate Don's legacy in a way that reflects his passion for nature and community.