David Lawrence Ross

Born to David and Kathleen (Kennedy) Ross, Dave is survived by wife Mary Helen Ross; five sons: James (Taylor) Moss, David (Sophia) Ross II, Patrick Ross, Robert Ross, and Jonathan Ross; grandchild Calahan Moss; siblings: Chris (Ann) Ross, Mary (Tom) Moore, Kathleen (Steve) Swinehart, Timothy (Cynthia) Ross, Meg (John) O’Neil, Margaret (Mike) Badding and 22 surviving nieces and nephews.

Dave had an innate connection to nature and spent time outdoors whenever possible as a child and throughout his life. In particular, he was drawn to the lyrical calls and songs of birds. After graduating from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology, he spent weeks at a time traveling to experience the variety of bird sounds throughout the United States and eventually Central America. Dave was a prolific and accomplished natural sound recordist. He made thousands of bird recordings in Costa Rica and contributed them to the Macaulay Library archive at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He also authored several audio CDs of Costa Rican birds, including the bestselling “Voices of the Cloud Forest.”

Dave lived in New York for much of his life, but transitioned to Durham, North Carolina, with a dream to teach. He taught for Durham Public Schools at Carrington Middle School for more than 23 years as a science teacher and technology specialist. After a day at school, Dave would divide his afternoons between a lawn business and coaching his sons’ sports’ teams year-round. He was a well-loved coach and role-model. Strong friendships came naturally to Dave in all aspects of his life. He will be remembered for bringing a sense of humor and positivity to any situation.

Memorial Service to be held on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 5 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 3902 Berini Dr., Durham NC, 27705 ALL ARE WELCOME.

Cornell’s Macaulay Library Recordist of Note: https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/2022/09/27/recordist-of-note-david-l-ross-jr/

Gifts can be made in memory of Dave Ross to: Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850

Thank you’s to UNC Hospice and National Cremation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com for the Ross family.