A TRIBUTE TO ROBERT ROSS

from SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 40

where he bought his first camera. Robert Ross had a deep interest and love for playing pool and later started using his skills to photograph pool players in action. Ross worked for UPS, and after work, he would hit the pool halls with his lens and work his magic on and off the table! Ross was so quiet that many people did not realize his playing skills on the table!

Robert Ross even made it to the screen. He did trick shots on a sitcom called “It’s a Different World.” and was also in a short video featuring Jackie Gleason called “Trilogy Eddy Ross.” You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/DesfurNjcBg?si=dso3Q4IGoiFS3smz

Ross had a talent for capturing stunning photographs of the players without being noticed, almost like he was the invisible man! He would arrive early to tournaments and strategically position himself in inconspicuous locations to snap his magical shots.

Ross became well-known and loved through his photography. The more photos that Ross took and shared, the more he became known for his unique style. Ross’s favorite player was Efren Reyes. When Reyes was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Ross was called and asked if they could use one of his pictures of Efren for the Ceremony. Ross happily obliged and was invited to attend the induction. Ross’s photos have been featured in different billiard magazines.

The last magazine Ross was in was SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 29, where I did a write-up and showcased his amazing photography. I felt honored to work with Ross, who was a wonderful and generous man to work with and provided me with many photos for me to choose from!

The World of Pool has lost an amazing photographer and pool player! Robert Ross will be missed for his gifted talent with a lens and his love for pool! For the last year and a half, Robert G. Ross had a fight for the second time with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The last time he was home before he was in Hospice, all he wanted to do was to get to the pool table. His wife, Deborah, took him to the table, but unfortunately, all he could do was barely hit two balls. But just to get there and do that meant a lot to him. He passed away on June 21, 2023. Before he passed, he said, I’ll see you on the other side.” Ross had a good life and was grateful to make it to 80. He also loved his military brothers and sisters. Ross was buried at the VA National Cemetery in Riverside,

Ross was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 21, 1943. As a young man, he is remembered for his love of Westerns and beautiful landscapes in California. When Ross turned 18, he purchased a one-way ticket to California and never looked back!

Ross was drafted by the army and sent to Korea,

I found out about Ross’s passing through Sandro Menzel while I was looking for some photos of Alex Pagulayan for an article I was writing. Sandro told me that Robert Ross would have been my go-to for photos of Alex, and I replied that I had messaged him also but had not heard back from him. Sandro came back to tell me that I would not be hearing from him because he had passed. My heart hit the floor. I was deeply saddened. We proceeded to chat, and Menzel mentioned that I should do an article. I was in complete agreement. I asked Sandro if he would like to add something to the article, and this is what he said. “Robert and I interacted several times through Messenger. He was always delightful and helpful. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to meet in person. I learned a lot from him merely by looking at (studying) his images. The fact that he shot on film is incredible. I think all of us who shoot pool owe him a debt of gratitude for leading the way.”

Mary Kenniston wrote an Obituary for Ross. Here is a clip from it,

“My friend of many years & photographer extraordinaire, Robert Ross, has passed away from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 80. Seldom seen without his camera, Ross (as he was known to his many friends) was one of the faces I always searched for in the crowd at the numerous pro events held out west in days gone by. I first met him in the early ‘80s at the House of Billiards in Los Angeles when he approached me with a couple of photos in his hand. “Thought you might like these,” he said as he handed them to me. I was thrilled!” The obituary continued with beautiful words to say: Over the years, Ross took hundreds of photos of the legends of our game - pool players who became his friends. As another old friend, John Henderson, wrote when I told him of the passing of our mutual friend, “I knew he was fighting cancer for a while. Sad news, he was a good man and loved pool, and his photos were wonderful.”

I then got together with his lovely wife, Deborah, who helped with information for the article to honor his memory.”

Ross left behind a cue that was made for him by Gus Szamboti in 1984, Ms. Ross will be selling this cue on Ebay. If you are interested, you can contact Ross’s wife via email at: drross4353@att.net