- Date Of Death: January 30, 2015
- State: Pennsylvania
Ross M. Orr, Jr., MD, 87, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, January 30, 2015. He was the husband of Sandra J. (Schneider) Orr, with whom he shared over 63 years of loving marriage. Born in Rich Valley, VA., Ross was the son of the late Ross M. and Lucille (Mitchell) Orr, Sr. He was an All-American football player at Virginia Tech University, and was on the first Virginia team to go to a bowl game. He later graduated from the Medical College of Virginia, and then served in the US Air Force as a Lt. Colonel. He settled in Bethlehem and opened his practice in general and vascular surgery, practicing from 1959 until 1998. He operated from both St. Luke’s Hospital and Muhlenberg Hospital. He started the Vascular Lab at St. Luke’s Hospital, which now bears his name. A licensed pilot, he enjoyed flying his own plane for over 30 years. He and his wife, Sandra, co-authored 8 books together. Ross served his community in many ways, including as a Board Member at St. Luke’s Hospital, and as a chairman of the United Way campaign in Bethlehem. Ross was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. Survivors: his loving wife Sandra; daughters Sandra Whiston and her husband William of Lincoln, NE, Sara Cochrane and her husband Peter of Chippewa Falls, WI; grandchildren Christopher Cochrane, Timothy Cochrane and his wife Sylvie, and Ross Whiston; brother William Orr, MD, and his wife Lois of Fishersville, VA. Ross was predeceased by his brother Eugene Orr, and by his sister Dorothy Orr.
