Russell Marion Ross

ROSS, DORRIS, JACKSON, RUDE, REMBE, BLUM

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 5/4/2010 at 11:08:20

Russell Marion Ross, 88, professor of political science for more than 40 years at the University of Iowa, died suddenly Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at UIHC.

Professor Ross was born on June 2, 1921 in Washington, Iowa, the only child of Harold and Lucile Dorris Ross. On June 3, 1944 he married Shirley Jackson in Blairstown, IA. She died in 1974. On May 29, 1982 he married Jo Ellen Rude of Hornick in Iowa City.
Professor Emeritus Ross received his bachelor and master degrees, and PhD in political science from the University of Iowa. Dr. Ross began his career after receiving his doctorate in 1948. He served several years as chairman of the department and in 1987 wrote a book of the department’s history for the Iowa State Historical Society. Following his retirement, he continued to teach long distance education classes until the time of his death. Ross began his association with long-distance education while serving in the Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Manilla Bay
Dr. Ross was a longtime local government and politics expert providing campaign and election analysis for several area television stations and The Des Moines Register for many years. He also authored several books in the field. Serving as Executive Assistant to Governor Norman Erbe in the 1960’s, he was also the mayor of University Heights for more than 10 years. He was past president of the Iowa City Community School Board, first chairman of the Iowa Campaign Finance Disclosure Commission as well as serving on numerous other local, state and regional boards. He served as past president of the Iowa State Historical Society and was a regular contributor to the society’s publication, The Palimpsest.
Dr. Ross is survived by his wife Jo Ellen of Iowa City; daughters, Sherry (Thomas) Rembe of Seymour and Julie Ross Blum of Waukee; four grandchildren and their spouses; and three great grandsons.