The family of Robert Grierson Ross Jr. of Chicago, IL announces his passing, and invites all who knew him to remember him here.
What we offer here is gratitude wrapped in remembrance.
Parenthood is the slow work of love. Robert did it well.
Robert "Bob" Grierson Ross Jr. of Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully on May 4, 2026, with his children Robby and Maggie at his bedside, after a year of serious health challenges.
Bob was born January 15, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York, the eldest son of Robert Grierson Ross Sr. and Margaret Delaney Ross. He grew up in Ossining, New York, with his younger siblings John, Richard, and Mary Jane. He graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx and Bryant College in Rhode Island.
Bob spent nearly thirty years at The Wall Street Journal and took particular pride in helping launch the Weekend Journal.
He raised his two children in Wheaton, Illinois, with their mother, Cindy Ross. In recent years, he split his time between Old Town Chicago in the summers and Ajijic, Mexico, in the winters, where he built a wide circle of friends and was happiest in their company.
Golf was his great love outside his family. He played courses across the United States and around the world and treated every round as a chance to be with people he liked. He kept score honestly, gave the needle freely, and accepted it in return with good humor. The friendships he made on the course lasted decades.
Those who knew him will remember a man who was funny, generous, intense, caring, stubborn, hard-charging, and encouraging – sometimes all in the same afternoon. He was generous with his time, listened, and gave advice that people trusted.
Bob is survived by his children, Robby Ross (Lauren) of Glen Ellyn and Maggie Nonnenkamp (Jeff) of Glen Ellyn; and six grandchildren: Charlotte, Margaret, and Bobby Ross, and Henry, Jack, and Charlie Nonnenkamp.
A Memorial Mass will be at St. Petronille Church, 420 Glenwood Ave. Glen Ellyn on Saturday, May 9th at 11 AM
Following Mass, everyone is invited to a celebration of Bob's life at Noon or anytime thereafter, at Glen Oak Country Club, 21W451 Hill Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Petronille Catholic School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
