Philip James Ross

July 15, 1950 - February 27, 2021

Philip (Phil) James Ross, 70, of Vienna, Virginia died Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Inova Fairfax Hospital from complications relating to a rare blood disorder. Phil was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 15, 1950, and moved to Hartsdale, New York when he was seven years old. In 1959, the family relocated to Greenville, South Carolina. Phil’s parents took an active interest in politics and encouraged Phil to do the same. He first recalled wearing a political button in 1956 at age six, and thus launched a lifetime love of politics and political memorabilia. Phil was, however, first and foremost a family man who loved his family above all else. During his high school years in Greenville, Phil took part in the Model UN and organized and led the South Carolina Youth Suffrage Movement which sought to lower the voting age to eighteen. During college he spent his summers in Greenville working on anti-poverty initiatives for the Office of Economic Opportunity. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Government and Public Administration. He was a member of the Young Democrats at American, and worked as a volunteer for several South Carolina Democrats. It was at American that he met his wife, Jean on March 7, 1970 during a solar eclipse they viewed while working as volunteers at the U.S. Capitol. They quickly became inseparable. Their marriage took place in Greenville on October 27, 1974. They attended Emory University together where Phil graduated in 1975 with a Juris Doctorate degree and began his legal career. His first less-than-glamorous legal job entailed searching through dusty title volumes in various Georgia county courthouses. On the other hand, he found it interesting to work for a law firm helmed by Margaret Mitchell’s brother, who guarded “Gone with the Wind” copyrights and production rights. While in law school Phil served as DeKalb County campaign manager in 1974 for the Bert Lance for Governor campaign. It was energizing work, and he loved the political life. He managed to win his county for Lance, who unfortunately lost state-wide. Relocating to the Washington, D.C. area in 1977, Phil began his career at the Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Legislation where he prepared Congressional testimony for EPA administrators and other officials. In 1984 he transferred to the EPA General Counsel’s Office and focused his work on pesticides, often crafting labeling language to protect consumers. He was proud of his work for EPA, and especially happy to have endured through several administrations during which environmental concerns were minimized. He always worked to have the right thing happen. During his 40-year career he received numerous awards and commendations for his regulatory skill. His proudest moment was attending the bill signing when President Clinton made official a law that Phil was instrumental in drafting. Phil was a member of the Arkansas Travelers for Hillary, boarding a bus and going door-to-door with this cadre of Arkansas natives to promote Hillary’s run for President. He loved all the Travelers and was so grateful to have been one of their number, despite not being from the state. He served as President of the Bill Clinton Political Item Collectors and arranged an Oval Office visit on March 7, 2000 for members of the club. The personal tour of the office that President Clinton treated them to was one of Phil’s favorite memories. A man of many interests, Phil was fascinated by Cuban culture and was fortunate enough to travel there on a cultural exchange tour there in 2000 with his daughter, Audrey. He loved interacting with the Cuban people and remained friends with several long after the trip. Phil also had many other loves: his family, lobster, political humor, great restaurant meals, family parties, the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees, writing with fountain pens and—of course – photography. He won a place in the prestigious Fotobama exhibit at the Newseum, and his photos also appeared in EPA publications. He wrote for Fountain Pen Magazine, Autograph Collector, The Bandwagon, (a publication of the American Political Items Collectors organization); and several other journals. He was happy to be part of any occasion involving his beloved family, whether it was a graduation for a niece, his daughter’s “40 Under 40” award ceremony, support during his grandson’s medical challenges, birthday parties, weddings, high school lacrosse and football games, helping with moving, acting as the DC tour guide endless times over and over, enduring his wife’s enthusiasm for St. Patrick’s Day at Ireland’s 4P’s, the twins’ softball games, antiquing with any child who was willing to go along, soccer games, and introducing Audrey and her friends to campaign headquarters’ swag, taking them on late night Tower Record trips to DC and for rides in his restored 1968 Pontiac Lemans convertible. He showed his devotion to family daily with his willingness to go anywhere and do anything for us, from running mundane errands to spending evenings entertaining Jake on FaceTime in more recent months. Due to medical issues, Phil retired from EPA in April 2020. In retirement, Phil was a model of perseverance for his Facebook (and real life) friends as he mastered walking with a prosthetic leg, learning how to use his “robot arm” and was determined to be the best Papa to Jake possible. His courage and can-do attitude inspired hundreds and many today have examined their lives and decided to move forward because Phil served as a source of inspiration. Thanks go to his friends, Russ Roseman and Steven Barry for devising a way that Phil, the one-armed man, could still have the ability to be an amazing photographer. Thanks to skill and hard work of “The Concrete Boys”, Phil had a ramp to allow him to get out and explore. Old and dear friends Larry and Ellen Korb, along with Suellen Sommer, served as cheerleaders for his recovery, along with so many others that to name them all would be so daunting. Due to our Havurah group, we were never without visits when weather permitted outside distancing, phone calls, food and so much more. We were lucky to have neighbors like Dempsey and Lydia Hackett, Carol and Ed Tsou, and Matt and Heather Tully who cheered him on and helped us so much. Family members kept Phil in touch, sent him jokes and presents and were always there for him. He knew he had them all rooting for him and it provided him with the motivation to keep going despite the challenges. Thanks to his loving and supportive caregiver Sahr Abu Bockarie, Phil was able to enjoy many days out in his neighborhood, snapping bird photos and more. Sahr is responsible for so much of Phil’s progress because of the incredible loving care he provided and his strong belief that anything was possible for Phil (not to mention the joint love of CNN, Hillary, and politics that united them). Phil was predeceased by his mother, Ann Adelson Ross; his father, Robert Elias Ross; his brother, William Mark Ross, his Aunt, Lenore Gussaroff Strauss; and his step-mother Joyce Abrams Ross. He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Jean Lambert Ross, his beloved daughter, Audrey Ann Ross, treasured son-in-law Will Kmetz and Grandson, Jacob Charlie Kmetz (known to him as the world’s best grandchild). He also leaves behind his grieving sisters-in-law, Dr. Betsy Fay, Linda Lambert Raupers and Michele Lambert, as well as his brother-in-law Thomas Lambert. His love and support for his eight nieces was legendary and he will be very much missed by Karen Raupers, Lori Farr, Ashleigh Cole, Marni Lambert, Janelle Lambert, Lauren Ross, Elaine Ross and Julia Swarthout. His great-nephews, Kevin Schlosser Jr., Justin Schlosser, Matthew Farr, Nathan Farr, Jace Hull, and Chance Cole were a source of delight to him, as were his great-nieces Onalee Cole and Nora Cole. He is also survived by his cousins Stacey Torrieri and John Strauss; his step-brothers, Barry Abrams and Michael Abrams; and step-sister, Susan Abrams. While not his children, he considered Adrienne Isleib and ARong Park as daughters. Phil had a special way of connecting with many of his daughter’s friends (from childhood and beyond) and they will no doubt miss his presence in their lives. In addition, he leaves behind an army of friends who supported him during this difficult journey. Due to COVID-19, a Zoom memorial service will take place on March 7 from Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church. Phil’s family invites you to join that virtual service at 2 pm. You are also invited to join them in prayer during a virtual shiva on Monday, March 8 at 7:30pm. To request the Zoom link for either event – and please specify which or both – send an email to [email protected] The family also requests that you submit your favorite photo of Phil for use either during Sunday’s service or at a celebration of his life to be scheduled at a future date, using the email shown above. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory be made to: Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children/Delaware Valley location - Child Life Department. Select Child Life Department from the dropdown menu here: (https://secure.qgiv.com/event/931999/page/291496) or the National Organization for Rare Disorders (https://rarediseases.org/donate/). May his memory be a blessing. He will forever be missed by everyone whose life he touched.