Herb was born on September 21, 1936 in Syracuse, New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1959. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1971.
Herb had a 14-year career with Worthington Corporation, a major manufacturer of industrial and construction equipment, holding several roles in product development, sales and marketing. He drove a 62- man marketing team as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Allis-Chalmers Industrial Tractor Division. Herb then worked for RegO (Engineered Controls International) in Chicago, Illinois as Vice President of Marketing for 7 years, before joining Rochester Gauges/Gas Equipment Company in 1981 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He was later promoted to Executive Vice President & General Manager for Rochester Gauges, Inc. in Dallas, Texas. He was promoted again to President of Rochester Gauges in 2014 where he oversaw the entire global business, designing, manufacturing and selling liquid level sensors for the industrial and propane markets, with locations in the US, Mexico, Belgium and China. He retired in 2018, spending time with family and friends.
Herb was a prolific inventor with over 100 patents to his name. He was a gifted leader and is widely known and respected throughout the industry. He enjoyed athletics and played football in high school. He was an avid skier and tennis player. Herb loved solving puzzles, inventing, travel, gourmet dining, art, poetry and music. He was a source of inspiration for everyone he met.
He leaves his wife Kathy Kirkwood Ross of 34 years of Argyle, Texas; sister Josephine Grigsby of Toronto, Canada; son Stephen Ross and wife Margery of Glastonbury, Connecticut; daughter Mary Helen and husband Mark Isley of Wichita, Kansas; stepson Robert Campbell Kirkwood III and wife Peggy of Jupiter, Florida; stepdaughter Kimberly Kirkwood Roberts and husband Joe of Lake Dallas, Texas; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A celebration of life with be announced in the near future.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18