Robert Page Ross Jr.

Robert Page Ross, Jr. passed away in Houston on Friday, the 8th of April 2022, at age 79. Robert, sometimes called Bob or Bobby, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Annette Stewart and Robert Page Ross on the 16th of November 1942. His father, Bob Page, hailed from Lillington, North Carolina, and his mother, Annette from Corpus Christi. His aunt, Jeanne Stewart Adams, was one of the first people to welcome Robert into this world, and still lives in the home that was built by his grandparents, Almer and Mable Smith Stewart.

Robert attended the University of Texas in Austin; was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and found a close group of friends that have stayed together to this day. Robert developed a knack for finance, and after college sought his fortunes in Pennsylvania and New York. It was in New York, where Robert honed his innovative options strategies and started The Ross Capital Corporation. When he relocated to Houston, he continued his career by establishing Starboard Capital and managed it until his death; capping a career that spanned more than 50 years.

In Manhattan he met the true love of his life, Susan Jane Joy “Susu” Scott, a Native Texan from Austin. They were married in 1973 and made NYC their home for 18 years. Even in the canyons of Manhattan, he always kept the South Texas brush country close to his heart and was eager to share it with others. Robert and a few cohorts spread the Texas gospel and found themselves on the society pages when they hosted the Annual Armadillo Festival where “Hardshell Poodles” were raced on a Manhattan rooftop. Though Robert would forever be a Texan, he adapted well to east coast life. He was a longtime sailor. Starting in the sailboat pond in Central Park, he spent years learning the art of the wind and taking flyers trying to beat the fleet. He would eventually become a member of the American Yacht Club and campaigned a series of boats named Pearl. In 1988, he captained his Baltic 38, and an all-female crew to victory in American’s Sunset Series and won the coveted Scotch Caps trophy. Upon his return to Texas, he continued this love for the wind and water, sailing the Gulf Coast with his brother-in-law, Ramon Sanchez.

Robert never forgot his roots and began planning his return to South Texas. Truly a son of the Nueces Strip, he acquired land along the Nueces River and called it La Chimenea Ranch. Robert and Susu would make a second home there, and hosted friends and family at every opportunity. The Chimenea would become a favorite and storied destination for all. Robert’s family - son Robert III and his wife, Nicole, son Christopher and Bob’s siblings, Gayle DeGeurin, Chula Sanchez and Tim Walker, along with a cast of in-laws and out-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins would come to see the Chimenea as a rallying point – the memories of every Thanksgiving and New Year’s reaffirming the family’s bonds.

Robert would find success in protecting another family treasure, Summer Villa. The McKay-Ross family home in Lillington, North Carolina, is a Ross family legacy (1845), and Robert, as Chairman of the Board, brought thoughtful leadership and counsel to preserve the heritage. Robert worked tirelessly to insure the continued vitality of the family’s property and to guide family members to ensure the home place stayed intact for future generations. With his open-hearted enthusiasm, he successfully kept family bonds to the forefront of his agenda. The many Ross family members praise his dedication and generosity.

Over their 48 years together, Robert and Susu traveled the world. One of their favorite destinations and often returned to was Botswana, where they would be guided by their friend, Joe Coogan. Robert was pretty handy with a camera and captured their times there with fantastic photographs. He and Susu often enjoyed entertaining family and friends with a slide show and dinner party.

Robert was a man of many talents, he could dance until the lights went out, put the venison on the table, enjoy a good book, sing along with his favorite recordings, and according to his golf partner and best friend, Mike DeGeurin, he knew to “play it as it lies” and always putted to win. He never tired of sharing his pride of his grandchildren, Madison Nix Ross, Jackson Christopher Ross, Josephine Nix Ross and Samuel David Ross and supporting his beloveds with a tender, trusting word.

Robert requested that his pallbearers be his brother, Tim Walker, brothers-in-law, Mike DeGeurin and Ramon Sanchez, and friends Ken Bentley, Robert Chandler, Dave Bullen, Joe Coogan, Dan Daniel, Randy Davis, Dick DeGuerin, Ron Ederer, Art Giglio, Stephen Karp, Rick Latos, Walt Mischer, Clint Murchison and Jim Thomas. Honorary pallbearers would be Wally Carey, Martin Copnall, Herb James, Mitch Jennings and Dick Williams.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o' clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 14th of April 2022, in The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, Rector and The Rev. Dr. Douglas Richnow, Priest Associate, are to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

An inurnment at the Mt. Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas; and Summerville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lillington, North Carolina will be at a later date.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Robert’s honor be directed to one of the following: Summer Villa Inc., Restoration Fund, c/o Robert Ross, 5150 Broadway, #458, San Antonio, TX 78209; Bayou Bend, PO Box 6826, Houston, TX 77265; Garvan Gardens, PO Box 22240, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71903; or the charity of ones choice.