Samuel Rogers Ross

Samuel Rogers Ross died at the age of 92 on February 25, 2025, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sam was born in Shoals, Indiana on July 23, 1932.

Sam is Preceded in death by his son, Douglas Anthony Ross; parents, Allen Teney Ross & Mary (Rogers) Ross; brother, Alan Ross; and sister, Betty (Ross) Hook.

Sam is Survived by his Loving Wife of 69 years, Marianne Ross; daughters Debbie Ross Walk (Philip) and Lis Ross Pennington (Clyde); grandson, Ezra Pennington; and granddaughter, Cleo Pennington.

Sam attended school in Shoals, Indiana. Sam Graduated High School in 1950 from Admiral Farragut Academy in Pine Beach, NJ. Sam Graduated from Purdue University in 1954 with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following college graduation, Sam served a Term of Active Duty as an Officer in the United States Navy. Later in life, as a Navy Veteran Sam was a member of the American Legion.

Sam Married the love of his life, Marianne Pishan, on January 22, 1956 in Brookfield, Illinois. The Newlyweds lived in San Francisco for about 6 months prior to Sam’s Honorable Discharge from the Navy. The couple then moved to Denver, Colorado in the Fall of 1956. Sam accepted a position in the Power Production Department of Public Service Company of Colorado. Sam worked for Public Service Company for 22 years, including 2-1/2 years on Special Assignment in Nuclear Power in San Diego, California. Following working for Public Service Company of Colorado, Sam and his family moved to Indianapolis, IN. Sam continued his Engineering Career working for Consulting Firm RW Beck & Associates in the Electric Power Field. Sam retired from RW Beck in 1997 at the age of 65 years. Sam continued to work part-time for several more years.

Sam was a member of the American Nuclear Society in which he held several positions. Sam also was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Sam served a term as a member of the initial Advisory Committee for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

Sam was a devout Catholic. While living in Denver, Sam was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and taught Religious Education to the youth in the parish. In Indianapolis, Sam was a member of Saint Pius Catholic Church, later Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and a member of the Catholic organization Christ Renews His Parish. Sam also was active and held positions in the Knights of Columbus.

Sam was a very gifted artist and had several paintings exhibited at the Indiana State Fair. Sam’s family is very proud that one of Sam’s paintings had the distinction of being exhibited at the Hoosier Salon.

Sam was an active member of the Central Indiana Folk Music Society. Sam and a close friend enjoyed playing their Folk Music instruments as the self named duo, “Bisquits and Bagels”. Sam also played the violin with the Oasis Orchestra for Seniors.

Sam will be remembered for being a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. Sam’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. Sam was a man of quiet strength and courage, very kind, honest, generous, hardworking and a loyal friend to all who knew him. Sam was very patriotic and loved his country.

Visitation for Sam will take place from 12pm-2pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, with a funeral service to follow at 2pm, all at Flanner Buchanan - Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Good Shepherd Chapel), 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46250. Burial with military honors will commence immediately following the service at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.