MARSHFIELD, Wis. – Richard J. Ross, 69, of 831 15th St., South, Wisconsin Rapids died Monday, Oct. 23, at St. Joseph Hospital, Palliative Care Unit.

He was born Feb. 1, 1937, in Rumford, to Frank and Laura (Girard) Ross. He married Louise Maxwell on Aug. 22, 1959, in Winthrop. He attended the University of Maine in Orono, and then received a master’s degree and Ph.D., from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wis. He was employed at Georgia Pacific for 23 years retiring on Jan. 1, 1997, as a technical director at the Nekoosa mill.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1966 earning an Army Commendation Medal. He started flying in high school and earned his private pilots license in 1957. He built a 16-foot wooden racing sailboat and built several radio controlled boats and planes.

He was a member of TAPPI, EAA, AOPA, St. Vincent de Paul Church, the Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation, TKE fraternity and Bull’s Eye Country Club. He enjoyed flying, fishing, sailing, golfing, gourmet cooking, reading and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife, Louise; sons, David (Nancy) Ross of Plover, Wis. and Peter (Terri) Ross of Green Bay, Wis; daughters, Lynn (James )Borski of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. and Lisa (Lance) Raab of Menasha, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Kristin and Kyle Borski, Erica and Courtney Ross, Austin Ross and Breanna and Katelyn Raab; brother, Paul (Lois) Ross of Rumford; sister, Lorraine Montgomery of Rumford; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Milton Ross.