It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Ross, a beloved father, friend, and esteemed radio engineer. Born on May 18, 1936, Richard passed away on February 12, 2026, leaving a void in the hearts of all whose lives he touched.

Richard was born in New York City during the Depression era and was raised on the Upper West Side. He later made Hell’s Kitchen his home for over 60 years. As a young adolescent, he spent time at a boarding school in western North Carolina, where he developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and what would become one of his greatest lifelong passions – trains and railroad culture. Even then, he was always tinkering, whether in the country or the city, driven by a desire to understand how things worked and how to make them better.

The first in his immediate family to graduate college, Richard earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Bridgeport. He went on to serve three years in the communications division of the New York Air National Guard and completed basic training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, a point of pride throughout his life.

Richard built a remarkable career in New York’s competitive broadcasting industry, where he became a respected and much-loved Chief Engineer in Hispanic radio. Over more than 50 years, he earned a reputation not only for his technical expertise but for his generosity as a mentor and colleague. He remained deeply engaged in his work well into his later years, finally retiring at the age of 84 during the pandemic. He was also known for his distinctive personal style, often arriving at work in a colorful or patterned tie.

Throughout his life, Richard was defined by his warmth, kindness, and quiet resilience. He carried himself with a natural politeness, often paired with a sharp wit and an easy smile. His bright blue eyes, often compared to Frank Sinatra’s, reflected a spirit that remained optimistic, alive and engaged with the world.

He believed deeply in respecting others and appreciating the richness of different cultures and perspectives, values he both practiced and passed on. Whether in his professional life or among friends and neighbors, he had a gift for bringing people together and maintaining a sense of harmony. He enriched his life through travel and adventure, a passion that took him to many remote corners of the world.

In addition to his love of city life, Richard found peace in nature. He stewarded land in rural Pennsylvania, creating a place of retreat and connection for family and friends. He remained independent and mentally sharp until almost his 90th birthday, a testament to his strength and enduring curiosity.

Richard’s absence will be deeply felt by his daughter Erica, his extended family in the US and abroad, as well as by his neighbors and friends in Hell’s Kitchen and Pennsylvania, his colleagues in Hispanic broadcasting, his IBEW union brothers, and the wider engineering community. Even the birds, deer, and wildflowers in Pennsylvania will miss his presence.

A memorial service for Richard will be held on April 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Masonic Lodge No. 72. All whose lives were touched by Richard are warmly invited to attend and celebrate his life.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

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