Ross S. Gibson Jr. ’65

Ross came to us from St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Va., along with classmate John Page Williams. He majored in English, and his thesis was titled “Men in Combat: Novels of World War I and II.” Ross took his meals at Cottage and served as the Reunions secretary for the Class of ’19.

After graduation he returned to his native Virginia and earned a law degree at the University of Virginia before taking a strong left turn and obtaining a master’s degree in city planning at UC, Berkeley. Halfway to our 25th reunion, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which cost him his left eye and a long and painful recovery hiatus.

His first career involved reviewing land development applications and making recommendations to his employer, Santa Cruz County, while continuing to live in Berkeley. In our 25th-reunion book, Ross listed his greatest joy as the time he spent with his son, Andrew, who survives him. Andrew’s wife, Candice, and grandchildren Anya, Solana, and Dax also survive. At the time of his death Sept. 18, 2014, Ross was working as a screenwriter and still living in northern California.

To Andrew, the rest of Ross’ family, and his friends, we send our condolences on the loss of one of us who faced down great adversity and lived a fulfilling life against great odds.