Robert "Bob" Penn Ross, II

Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Robert “Bob” Penn Ross, II, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024, at Salemtowne Retirement Community. Bob was born to the late Robert Penn, Sr., and Beverly Ellinwood Ross on October 25, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Mechanicsburg, Illinois. Bob worked as an accounting clerk, production manager, plant manager and vice president for Camcar Division of Textron, in Rockford, Illinois, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, as President of Townsend Division of Textron until 1994. 

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as an Air Police Officer.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Ross, and grandson, Joshua Robert Kehoe.

Bob had several hobbies and interests through the years that included taking photos, playing the piano, reading books and newspapers, traveling, and spending time at the beach with friends and family.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 46 years, Dorothy (Chick) Ross; his children, Robert Penn Ross, III (Lisa), Theresa Dadaian (Paul), Renee Kehoe (Luke); his step-children, Dan Parker (JoEva), John Parker, Thom Parker (Dimitri), and Nancy Farmer; his brothers, Joe Ross (Lee Anne), Phil Ross (Sue), and John Ross (Cindy); and his many beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass and burial will be held in Mechanicsburg, Illinois at a later date. Bob’s final resting place will be at the Mechanicsburg Cemetery where he has a tombstone near his parents. Bob always joked about having a start date on the tombstone but not an end date. After a wonderful and successful life, an end date may now be added.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Catholic Charities, www.ccdoc.org.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family.