Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

In memory of Dr. Steve Ross

by Katelyn

This day of sanctuary was sponsored in memory and celebration of “Dr. Steve Ross, friend to all chimpanzees.”

A year ago the primate community lost a giant of a human with Steve’s sudden death. Among his many other roles, Steve was the director of the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. His legacy is unique and far-reaching, and not only for the chimpanzees he advocated so extensively for. As we think of Steve and all he helped make possible for so many, our special thoughts go out to his close friends and family who we know must be feeling his absence most acutely.

Heartfelt thanks to our anonymous friend who gave us all the opportunity to celebrate Steve today and the profound difference one life can make.

(Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune/Jose M. Osorio).

Steve Ross in the Lincoln Park Zoo's Regenstein Center for African Apes in Chicago on June 1, 2018. Ross, who died April 20, was director of the zoo's Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes.

The first of our gentlemen chimpanzees, Burrito:

Gordo:

Terry:

Cy:

Willy B:

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    Thank you. Happy to see this. I was just thinking about Steve the other day. His passing was such a shock. As a member of the public, I befriended him when I had questions about the plight of my Chimpanzee Friends at the San Francisco Zoo. For seven years, he was always there when I had a question, or concern. We were in an email discussion the day before he passed. When two days without a response passed, I noted it odd. He was a return email guy, like I said, always there to help. I appreciated and valued the time he took to share his knowledge with me. I miss connecting with him. He was a gem!

  2. Tobin says

    Dr. Ross also worked with Chimp Haven to provide a sanctuary environment for chimpanzees. While I didn’t know him personally, his work and legacy of advocacy and compassion for our primate cousins endures. Thank you for remembering him on this day.

  4. tomaustin says

    Since we don’t know how it works “on the other side”, he might just be meeting again with a bunch of “old friends”…..:slight_smile:

    • Marya says

      I agree with you, Tom! I prefer to think of the “other side” as just another side and that interesting things occur there including connections of all sorts.

  5. Robin Salsk says

    I miss Steve and I’m glad there was s day of sanctuary in his honor. He helped me a great deal with the study for my thesis. He was so knowledgeable, humble, and kind, and gave his time to so many. His death was a huge loss!!