Ross E. Medcalf

Fort Collins, CO — Ross Erwin Medcalf, 66, of Fort Collins, CO, stepped into heaven on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2022 surrounded by his loving family in his home after a short illness.

Burial will be held this spring in Chambers.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Ross was born on Dec. 28, 1955 in Sioux City, Iowa to Ben and Phyllis (Carpenter) Medcalf. As a boy, Ross enjoyed spending summers visiting his grandparents, Hap and Nellie Medcalf and Erwin and Mildred Carpenter of Chambers. This is where he began his lifelong interest in bird, nature and dogs. 

He worked at Rowe Crane Sanctuary in Gibbon and at several national parks including Yellowstone and the Everglades. 

Ross always loved border collies. Other passions were the Beatles and fishing.  As a historian, he immersed himself in the study of General George Armstrong Custer. He loved fishing with his grandson Cannon. 

He was a U.S. Army veteran and was stationed in Germany in the early 70s before joining the Nebraska National Guard.

Ross is survived by his wife Beth Medcalf; three daughters  Renee, Rachelle and Rosalind; three siblings Bob (Jan) Medcalf, Mark (Masuda) Medcalf and Kathy (Alan) Medcalf Malmberg; five grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Phyllis Medcalf, his infant sister Marilee, maternal grandparents Erwin and Mildred Carpenter and paternal grandparents Hap and Nellie Medcalf of Chambers.