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Ross Romeo died on March 13, 2008, at his ranch near Elgin, Ariz.
Ross was raised in Beverly Hills, Mich., to Carol (Kunart) Romeo and Salvatore Romeo.
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Ross enlisted in the Army in 1982, and graduated from Officer Candidate School that same year. Highlights of his prominent Army career include serving as commander of the U.S. 25th Adjutant General Company, CCSA-Europe in Heidelberg, Germany (1986-88); Operations Officer for the Network Operations Center, WWMCCS Intercomputer Network, the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., (1989-92); plans officer for the 11th Signal Brigade, U.S. Information Systems Command, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., (1995-96); battalion operations officer/Battalion S-3, 40th Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., (1996-97); director, C-TNOSC, U.S. Army NETCOM, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., (1997-99); chief, Networks and Integration Branch, JITC, DISA, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., (1999-2002); and division chief, Information Operations Vulnerability Assessment Division, 1st Information Operations Command, Ft. Belvoir, Va. (2002-05).
It was while assigned to this position at Fort Belvoir that Ross was promoted to colonel in 2005. Much to the disappointment of many peers and generals, Ross elected to decline this promotion and retire after 22 years of service.
This began a new chapter in his life, when he returned to Arizona with the intent of starting a sanctuary for unwanted animals.
While in Arizona, Ross was employed by GAITS as the Vice President of Information Technology (2006-08).
He also established Whisper’s Ranch Bed & Breakfast in Elgin, and worked as an instructor for Wayland Baptist University, Western International University, and the University of Phoenix. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting guests at the B & B and inspiring his university students.
Ross’ pride and joy during the last two years was working with his wife to establish Whisper’s Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit lifetime sanctuary for unwanted and retired animals. He greatly enjoyed caring for the animals, and was always excited about offering a permanent home to another retired B-Troop Cavalry horse, a flock of geese, a load of pregnant rescued goats, and the many beloved equines and dogs who found their way to the sanctuary.
His creative and inquisitive mind was one of his strengths. Among his interests were playing the piano and keyboard, long-distance running, trail-riding with his horse, and being the announcer for Ranch Family Fun Day events at the Canelo Cowboy Church. He greatly enjoyed photography, and sending local scenic pictures to KGUN-9 News weather for broadcast. He established a blog site, Iraqpictures.blogspot.com, which received national recognition. He loved living the life of a cowboy. He is remembered for his efforts to keep open the West Gate of Fort Huachuca, a lifeline for residents in Canelo and Elgin.
Ross is survived by his wife, Toni Leo, and daughter Andie Romeo, of Elgin; his son, Ross II of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and daughter, Christian Romeo of Mary Baldwin College in Virginia; and his mother, Carol Romeo, father, Salvatore Romeo, and sister, Laura Romeo, all of Beverly Hills, Mich.
For those wishing to honor and remember Ross, he would have requested that a donation be made to Whisper’s Sanctuary, 2160 E. Fry Blvd., PMB 342, Sierra Vista, Ariz. The Sanctuary website is http://www.rrheartranch.com” www.rrheartranch.com .
A service and burial will take place on Thursday, March 20, at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Cemetary, Fort Huachuca. A memorial service and potluck meal to celebrate Ross’ life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at the Canelo Cowboy Church, near Mile Post 14, on Highway 83 in Canelo.
Michael Seng wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:31 AM:
I will keep you all in my thoughts. I have nothing but fond memories of Ross and the old neighborhood.
Michael "