- Date Of Birth: November 11, 1926
- Date Of Death: July 21, 2011
- State: Illinois
Dr. William C. Gross, 84, a retired veterinarian with a passion for animals, a talent for delivering jokes and anecdotes to his patients (both human and animal), passed away in his sleep on July 21st.
Dr. Gross grew up in a family of eight children on a ranch homesteaded in Russell, Kan., originating from the time of the Civil War. He graduated from Russell High School and a few years ago he was able to attend his sixty-fifth high school reunion in Russell, Kan.
Drafted into the service in 1943, he was stationed in California until his honorable discharge. He continued his education at Kansas State Veterinary School in Manhattan, Kan., where he graduated in 1950. While working towards his doctorate in veterinary medicine, he received a scholastic scholarship from the Borden Milk Company.
He met Carolyn M. Powers while attending Kansas State and they were married in August 1951, living 57 years together until the death of Carolyn in July 2008. Three children survive, namely, Evelyn C. Gross Trice of Oak Park and Steven C. Gross and William P. Gross, both of Jacksonville. Two grandchildren, William Forrest Gross of West Lafayette, Ind., (attending Purdue University) and Hunter M. Gross of Oak Park (attending Fenwick Preparatory High School), survive. During his lifetime it was his upmost priority to take care of his family and to support and encourage his children to follow their respective interests. Following his loving example, his son, Steven, resided with him becoming his primary caregiver for the final three years of his life.
Dr. Gross was one of the first cattleman in the country to breed and raise Black Angus Beefalo. He was a longtime owner of registered Angus cattle that originated from his family’s ranch in Kansas where the herd was established over 100 years ago. His father was one of the founding members of the American Angus Association. Dr. Gross started his own herds of buffalo, beefalo, deer and elk in Morgan County 60 years ago and he enjoyed spending weekends fishing, horseback riding and showing his children the rewards of spending time with animals.
All three children have warm memories of accompanying their father on farm calls watching calves, horses and puppies being delivered, as well as watching their father perform surgery in barns while comforting both animal as well as the owner. His lifetime objective was preventive healthcare and medicine for animals.
Dr. Gross had great interest in the development of youth and assisted many youngsters who showed interest in farming or veterinary medicine. He was very generous with his time and resources and always encouraged others to participate in his agricultural endeavors.
Dr. Gross practiced veterinary medicine in Central Illinois for over 55 years traveling across many counties while maintaining a central office in Winchester and working with his three brothers, Dr. Glen C. Gross, Dr. Dean R. Gross, Dr. Robert U. Gross, and one sister, Dr. Joanne Gross Pfeffer, who also were practicing veterinarians in Jacksonville. Two other sisters, Betty Woodward and Virginia Courier, and one other brother, Joseph Gross, have predeceased him. A nephew, Dr. Joseph “Mac” Gross, was the sixth veterinarian in the Gross family and he later joined the Winchester practice. Mac still continues to provide veterinary services out of the Winchester office.
Dr. Gross loved everything about the western United States. He enjoyed traveling to Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma to view herds of wildlife. He enjoyed visiting the Indian pueblos of New Mexico and greatly appreciated the culture and art of Santa Fe. He and his wife traveled to over 60 countries around the world during their 57 years of marriage and he especially enjoyed becoming acquainted with children in orphanages during several trips he made to Russia.
He combined the wanderlust of travel and his passion for animals by visiting Australia’s unique marsupials in the outback; he experienced East African wild animal safaris; he studied gauchos and their cattle herds in several South American countries; and visited Poland’s Bialowicza National Park to study the European Bison bloodlines.
Dr. Gross was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Elks Club, American Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the Kansas State Alumni Association.