July 4, 1946 – September 30, 2022
Ross Stanley Selvidge, the fourth child of Dr. Harner and Eloise Selvidge, was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on July 4, 1946.
After various moves the family eventually moved to California and settled in Altadena, a quiet suburb north of Pasadena where his father was a primary founder of Meteorology Research Institute.
Ross started his 8th grade year at Eliot Junior High School and became interested in gymnastics which he developed into a respected skill on the parallel bar event. He matriculated to John Muir High School where he continued to develop his skills as a varsity gymnast. He lettered all three years at Muir and graduated in 1964. He enrolled in Pasadena City College and became a varsity gymnast under the coaching of Jerry Todd where he was on the team that won the National Junior College Gymnastic Championship title. He transferred to University of Southern California and continued his gymnastics under the direction and coaching of former U.S. Olympians Jack Beckner and Ron Barak.
Ross graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1969. While at USC he enlisted in the United States Navy and eventually went to Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he completed his training and graduated with the rank of Ensign. He became an officer in the Civil Engineering Corp. (Seabees) and was soon thereafter sent to Vietnam where he was instrumental in designing and overseeing the building of military housing and defense structures in the surrounding jungles for the south Vietnamese soldiers. He became the first person to wear the Navy’s Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist badge, which he designed.
Upon his return, Ross continued in the Naval Reserves for another 23 years acquiring the rank of commander. He received an early honorable discharge from Navy active duty in order to complete his education at USC, earning a master’s degree in management and a Ph.D. in real estate and finance. His acquired skills and knowledge allowed him to teach finance and associated subjects at USC, Pepperdine and UCLA. During this time he was also a consultant on private and public sector development projects.
Ross eventually moved back to Pasadena and became involved in civic affairs. His knowledge and expertise in city issues made him a valuable asset to the community. He served on the Friends of the Pasadena Library Board, the Library Funding Task Force, and was on the Pasadena Planning Commission, and was on the Rose Bowl Operating Company. He was appointed to the Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport Authority by the past two Pasadena mayors becoming the Authority’s secretary, vice-president and president over the course of his approximately seven years as an airport commissioner.
His love of and sincere commitment to Pasadena were also reflected in his becoming an elected member of the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees where he served as the board president. He attended numerous Pasadena events over the years with his loyal participation in the annual Turkey Tussle, the football game between Muir and PHS high schools always wearing his Muir letterman’s jacket. He was always a Mustang. He seldom missed the Muir class reunions and wore his letterman jacket as always.
Ross had many interests. He was a military history student, a member of the Morgan Automobile Association owning three of them and was very knowledgeable of aircraft having been a glider and power plane pilot.
His life was dramatically changed by the introduction of Andriana R. Armstrong 20 years ago. Ross was a single man at the time having never being married. Andriana was the love of his life. He became engaged to her on the 50-yard line of the Rose Bowl and they were married for 17 years. Their marriage took place at the Cal Tech Athenaeum officiated by his Presbyterian youth minister. He was honored by officers of his former Navy brigade with a crossed sword ceremony. Anyone who knew Ross appreciated his brilliant mind, attention to detail and his enthusiasm for sharing his pertinent news. They drove off in a Morgan. He will be missed.
Ross is survived by his wonderful wife Andriana Armstrong and his sisters Meg Kleiman and Judith Selvidge. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Selvidge.
Arrangements for a celebration of life are pending. In lieu of cards and flowers, the family respectfully requests donations of any amount to either the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library or the Salvation Army, Pasadena, in memory of Ross S. Selvidge, Ph.D.
