Richard L. Ross

Richard L. Ross, 88, of Washington, went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family after a short but difficult battle with cancer. He was born September 2, 1935, in the home of his paternal grandparents in Prosperity. His parents were Delmar (Red) L. and Helen Thomas Ross. His ancestors were among the first settlers of Washington County. Richard attended Trinity High School and graduated from Washington High School in 1953. He attended Washington and Jefferson College and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He was also commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army through the ROTC program. On May 10, 1957, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy Lee Pressley, who was the love of his life. Their love and dedication to each other and to their children created a warm and happy home; a legacy which has been passed on to their three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Richard’s goal was to be the best husband, father, and person in general, as possible, and he was known for being a help and support to his extended family and friends, as well as business associates. He was kind to everyone he met. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He loved to retell favorite jokes and always carried copies of amusing or inspirational poems to share with the people he met. He believed in Jesus and accepted Him as his Savior. He attended church with his wife and family in the various communities in which they lived, including First Baptist Church in Washington, South Hills Baptist Church, and Riverside Community Assembly of God in Oakmont. He enjoyed singing in the choir with his wife. Richard is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Dorothy, and daughters Rhonda DelRio, Karen (Ted) Cukryznski and Terri (Doug) Swartz; grandchildren include, Rhonda’s sons, Zachary (Kayla) and Micah DelRio; Karen and Ted’s children, Nathan (Amanda) Cukryznski, Rachel Cukryznski Engle, Daniel (Stefani) Cukryznski and Benjamin (Alyssa) Cukryznski; and Terri and Doug’s daughters, Sarah (Jordan) Wheeler and Rebecca (Brett) McKelvey; and his great-grandchildren, Elijah and Naomi Cukryznski, Emily and Tommy Engle, Skye and Eliana Cukryznski, Evangeline and Lillian Cukryznski, Elias, Judah and Abigail Wheeler, and Maddox and Greyson McKelvey. He was sadly preceded in death by a beloved grandson, Joshua Swartz, as well as his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia (Contino) and Bill McClure and Donna and Jim Carpenter. Richard was very patriotic and served his country by enlisting in active duty training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and Fort Knox, Kentucky, for six months in 1959 after which time he was honorably discharged and entered the U.S. Army reserves. He served in the Army Reserves for 20 years and retired in 1979, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His achievements included completing the requirements of artillery, civil affairs, and quartermaster, as well as graduating from the Industrial College of Armed Forces and Command, and General Staff College. In civilian life, he worked diligently to provide a good life for his family. He was employed in the steel industry for 42 years, in which 26 of those years he worked at Jessop Steel Company in cost and general accounting, treasurer, and corporate controller, followed by three years as vice president and treasurer of Bekaert Steel Wire Corporation (a Belgian company). He then accepted a position with Edgewater Steel in Oakmont and was corporate controller for five years, and lastly worked for seven years as vice president and CFO of J. Allen Steel Company in Pittsburgh. He retired from there on December 31, 1999, but continued working the following year as a consultant for Flabeg Corporation. His professional memberships included the Financial Executives Institute, Institute of Management Accountants, The Military Officers Association of America, and the Reserve Officers Association. He as an advisor for Junior Achievement of Jessop Steel. Richard L. Ross was an industrious worker but more importantly to him was his love for and devotion to family. He was loved so much and will be greatly missed! Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2024. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 175. Additional information and a guestbook are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.