RICHARD DEAN GROSS, MD, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident and Physician passed away Wednesday morning, October 9, 2002 at the Ashley Gardens Alzheimer Care Center in Mount Vernon, WA following a brief battle with cancer. He was 71 years of age. Dick was born on February 27, 1931 in Adel, Iowa, the son of Clarence E. & Ruth B. Stephens Gross. He was raised and attended school in Iowa and attended Drake University, where he graduated Pi Beta Kappa. Dick was united in marriage to Ruth McKinley in Waterloo, Iowa on September 12, 1953, and they lived in Iowa City while Dick attended the University of Iowa School of Medicine, graduating in 1956, after which he began serving his internship at Harborview Hospital in Seattle until 1957. From 1958 to 1960 Dick served in the U.S. Air Force. In late 1959 the family moved to Sedro-Woolley and Dr. Gross served as the General Medical officer at Northern State Hospital. On July 5, 1961 Dick opened his medical practice, where he served the Sedro-Woolley community until his retirement in 2000. Dick was an true sports fan, often attending UW Husky football games and Sonic basketball games. He was also an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Skagit Golf & Country Club. He was also a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley, a member of Rotary International and the Elks Lodge #1604. He served as Skagit County’s Health Officer for a while and was the SWHS Cubs team doctor for over 35 years.
Dick is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruth at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. 3 sons and their wives, Dr. James & Jeanne Gross and Tom Gross of Sedro-Woolley, WA and Dr. David & Christine Gross of Edmonds, WA. 1 daughter, Kristie Peterson and her husband Scott of Kent, WA. 6 grandchildren, Jeffrey Sordahl, John Paul, Alex, Willie, Michael & Elizabeth Gross. His brother, Don Gross and his wife Toni of Ankney, Iowa. His sister, Mary Shreders and her husband Walter of Seabreeze, Florida. Numerous nieces and nephews and many loyal patients and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dorothy Clifton.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday October 12, 2002 at 2:00 PM at the Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Mark Johnson officiating. Private inurnment will be at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Richard Gross Memorial Life Science Scholarship Fund c/o Sedro-Woolley Rotary, P.O. Box 726, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 are suggested. Cremation and arrangements under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Dr. Gross and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com