BRUBAKER, Ross W.

Ross W. Brubaker passed away November 9, 2003 at the age of 94. He was born December 13, 1908 in Defiance County, Ohio to Charles and Debbie Brubaker. He grew up in northwestern Ohio and attended OSU, graduating in 1930 with a BS in Agriculture and 1932 with a Master of Science in Entomology. During this time he met Ruth Gordon, his future bride, through mutual friends. While working toward a PhD, he was offered a job with the US Department of Agriculture as a junior entomologist. He proposed to Ruth and accepted the job. They were married October 8, 1935, and left the next day for Baton Rouge, LA. His career spanned 33 years and several states as an entomologist focusing on insects affecting commercial crops. He spent over 3 years in the US Navy during WWII, first in the Armed Guard, then in the regular Navy as a Malaria Control Officer in the South Pacific. While in the Armed Guard, his ship was torpedoed and sunk during November 1942. The crew all survived in 4 lifeboats, with his being the last to be rescued after 13 days on the North Atlantic. The family moved to Tempe in 1958. Surviving are his loving wife Ruth, daughters Ruth Anne Winchester (Robert), Martha Hoyt, and son John Brubaker (Anita). There are 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Services were at the First United Methodist Church of Tempe, 215 E. University, on Saturday, November 15, 2003. Arrangements by Resthaven Park Mortuary. Contributions may be made to USN Armed Guard WWII Veterans, 115 Wall Creek Drive, Rolesville, NC, 27571, or any charity of your choice. Published in the Arizona Republic from 11/12/2003 - 11/15/2003.