Loss of a Friend
June Rosa Pitt Ross
Dr. June Ross, Professor Emeritus from the Biology Department at Western Washington University, passed away March 10th at the age of 80 years. Originally from Australia, with post-graduate work at Cambridge University, and with an American Association of University Women scholarship, she studied at Yale University. It was there that she and her husband of 52 years, Dr. Charles Ross met. They became colleagues at Western Washington University.
When the Rosses came to the West Coast, June took courses on invertebrates at the Friday Harbor Laboratories with Professor Robert Fernald and she went on to become a bryozoan expert. She published over 160 articles while at Western Washington. Her husband Chuck worked with Professor Paul Illg at FHL on National Science Foundation systematics leadership teams. He spoke of how important those years were for both of their careers. Over the years, they have been very generous to the funds established for Professors Fernald and Illg.
June led a very full and productive life, was well travelled, and was a devoted, loving wife and scientific colleague. Her quiet infectious enthusiasm will be greatly missed by all her colleagues, especially by her husband.
A memorial service was held May 12 at the Roeder House in Bellingham.