Dr. Ross Byrd passed away on August 21 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was a business educator for over 40 years, 30 of which were spent as a professor at Central Washington University. He was also a past president of WVA/WA-ACTE (1975-1976).
His memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 10, at 1:00 in Sue Lombard Hall on the CWU campus, and everyone who knew him is invited to attend. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Kim Bartel: bartelk@cwu.edu
His memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 10, at 1:00 in Sue Lombard Hall on the CWU campus, and everyone who knew him is invited to attend. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Kim Bartel: bartelk@cwu.edu
| Dr. F. “Ross” Byrd died in Burien, WA on August 21, 2016 at the age of 78 after a six month battle with Stage IV lung cancer and was in remission from his Waldenstrom’s cancer after a four year battle. Ross is survived by his wife, Ida Lee Anderson Byrd in Burien; children, Dan Byrd and his wife Debbie Byrd, David Byrd and his partner Tim Vesperman, and Marcia Byrd and her wife Kristy Stuard; brother, Jerry Byrd and his wife Sharon Byrd, and sister, Jean Fodey. He is preceded in death by his brother Chuck Byrd, Father James Byrd and Mother Norma Elsdon. |  |
Click here Ross was born on March 12, 1938 in Spokane, WA to James and Norma Byrd. He graduated from John Rogers High School in 1955. He was active in the Glee Club, Booster Club, Student Council, Sergeant at Arms, Tanglefoot, Baseball, Junior Math Club and worked at Rosauer’s Market in HS and College. Ross got his undergraduate degree in Business Education at Eastern Washington University in 1959. He taught at Shadle Park High School in Spokane from 1959-1965 in the Business Education Department and was the Department Chair. Ross was also a Business Education Teacher at Spokane Public Night School from 1960-65 and Spokane Community College. Ross was active in The Army National Guard from 1960-1962. At the same time, he was attending Whitworth College to earn his Master’s Degree, which he completed in 1963. School wasn’t his only interest; he married Ida, his high school sweetheart in 1958. They had three children; Dan, David and Marcia. His children remember him as kind, positive, and very driven father who encouraged them to pursue their goals to gain happiness and success. He taught his kids how to boat, ski, camp, and travel the US in a tiny VW with a luggage rack on top! In 1966, Ross moved the family to Pullman, WA so he could complete his doctorate degree at WSU. (Go Cougs!) In 1969, the Byrd family moved to Ellensburg so Ross could join the CWU faculty in the Business Education Department.
Ross was a faculty member at CWU for 31 years and department chair for his last 16 years. He served as President of the WSBEA and EWBEA; Editor, Secretary, and President of WBEA; President of WVA; served on the NBEA Executive Board; served as NABTE secretary and was on the Executive Board. He was also conference chair for WSBEA and WBEA conferences. Active in curriculum development and research, he also wrote several position papers and resolutions for WSBEA. Ross received several awards; WBEA and WSBEA Distinguished Service Award, WBEA Outstanding Business Educator, WBEA President’s Award and WSBEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Ross was very dedicated to his students and was a major advisor to many graduate students, student teachers and in charge of first year teacher visitations. Ross was a teacher, mentor, and friend for many business educators in Washington State. He always took time to judge at the FBLA conference and was invested in the business leaders of the state. He was a devoted individual who loved teaching and who was passionate about educating his students. He would always say, “I am going to school,” never to work!
After retirement Ross served as the President of the CWU Retirement Association and stayed active playing golf, going to the gym and hanging out with his friends telling tall tales over coffee. He and Ida also enjoyed traveling to the Panama Canal, Alaska, Caribbean, and Mexico many times. They both truly enjoyed boating and gave up their boat after 42 years of boating on Lake Chelan and the San Juan Islands.
A memorial is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 PM at Sue Lombard Hall on the CWU campus in the Lombard Room. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ross’s life. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Dr. F. Ross Byrd Scholarship Fund @ WSBEA c/o Jackie Floetke, chair, PO BOX 138, Wilson Creek, WA 98860 or donations be made to Central Washington University Foundation in memory of Professor Ross Byrd. Funds received will be used to establish the Professor Ross Byrd Scholarship Endowment at the CWU College of Business. Gifts may be mailed to CWU Foundation, 400 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7800, or donated online at cwu.edu/give. The family would like to thank Burien Skilled Nursing and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for their care during his illness.
Ross was a faculty member at CWU for 31 years and department chair for his last 16 years. He served as President of the WSBEA and EWBEA; Editor, Secretary, and President of WBEA; President of WVA; served on the NBEA Executive Board; served as NABTE secretary and was on the Executive Board. He was also conference chair for WSBEA and WBEA conferences. Active in curriculum development and research, he also wrote several position papers and resolutions for WSBEA. Ross received several awards; WBEA and WSBEA Distinguished Service Award, WBEA Outstanding Business Educator, WBEA President’s Award and WSBEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Ross was very dedicated to his students and was a major advisor to many graduate students, student teachers and in charge of first year teacher visitations. Ross was a teacher, mentor, and friend for many business educators in Washington State. He always took time to judge at the FBLA conference and was invested in the business leaders of the state. He was a devoted individual who loved teaching and who was passionate about educating his students. He would always say, “I am going to school,” never to work!
After retirement Ross served as the President of the CWU Retirement Association and stayed active playing golf, going to the gym and hanging out with his friends telling tall tales over coffee. He and Ida also enjoyed traveling to the Panama Canal, Alaska, Caribbean, and Mexico many times. They both truly enjoyed boating and gave up their boat after 42 years of boating on Lake Chelan and the San Juan Islands.
A memorial is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 PM at Sue Lombard Hall on the CWU campus in the Lombard Room. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ross’s life. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Dr. F. Ross Byrd Scholarship Fund @ WSBEA c/o Jackie Floetke, chair, PO BOX 138, Wilson Creek, WA 98860 or donations be made to Central Washington University Foundation in memory of Professor Ross Byrd. Funds received will be used to establish the Professor Ross Byrd Scholarship Endowment at the CWU College of Business. Gifts may be mailed to CWU Foundation, 400 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7800, or donated online at cwu.edu/give. The family would like to thank Burien Skilled Nursing and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for their care during his illness.
RSS Feed
