Childs, Kenneth Ross, age 85, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away September 7, 2022 in his home surrounded by his daughter, his son-in-law, and many friends. Ross was born on June 17, 1937 in London, Ontario, to Ross and Evelyn Childs, who raised him in Owen Sound along with his sister Margaret and brother Bill.
Like most Canadian boys of his generation, Ross started played hockey soon after he could walk. He was a decent forward but decided to play goalie, which earned him a spot on the competitive Windsor Spitfires and then a scholarship to the University of Michigan in 1955. Ross's high school sweetheart, the former Helen Randle, followed him to Ann Arbor. They married in 1958 in Owen Sound. Life blessed Ross and Helen with three children: Mary, born in 1959, Scott, in 1964, and Susan in 1973.
Although Ross earned his degree in engineering, he soon found himself drawn to public service. He rose through the ranks of Washtenaw County government to become the County Administrator. Despite his devotion to his growing family and his demanding position, Ross somehow found time to lead the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association (AAAHA), growing it to some 1,000 little league players, with Helen doing everything from calling parents and coaches to mending jerseys.
As much as the entire Childs family loved Ann Arbor, when Grand Traverse County offered Ross the same position in Traverse City in 1976, the Childs couldn't refuse. During Childs' last AAAHA awards night at Pioneer High School's auditorium that spring, Ross and Helen received repeated standing ovations that lasted several minutes - an incredible display of appreciation and respect.
Moving to Traverse was clearly the right move, as evidenced by fact that Traverse City would become the family's final home. But life was not easy for Ross or his family. Their oldest child, Mary, was born with Spina Bifida and would live her life in a wheelchair. Shortly after moving to Traverse City, their youngest child Susan, then three years old, was hit by a car in Owen Sound, requiring a long hospital stay. In 1979, tragedy struck again as their beloved son, Scott, was killed in a car accident while returning from hockey practice.
Ross lived a life of service. In addition to serving as Grand Traverse County's administrator for decades, Ross started the Traverse City High School varsity hockey program, which would go on to win a state title in 2006; served as the District Governor of Rotary Club from 2002-03, and on the boards of Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Foundation, the Presbyterian Church, as an active member of the choir and youth group leader, and Brickways, a living community for adults with developmental disabilities. Not surprisingly, Ross received much recognition for his expansive non-profit work. He received the Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Service Award in 1988, the Lou Lamoriello Award in 2020, was named a NMC Fellow in 2022, and was recognized as the state of Michigan's Civil Servant of the Year in 1985.
Despite these many commitments, Ross and Helen always found time for traveling, one of their true passions. In addition to countless trips for his work in the county and for Rotary International, family vacations, and drives to Canada - Ross once joked that he should have kept track of how many hundreds of times he'd crossed the border - he traveled with his family throughout the US, Europe and even Australia. All the travel resulted in the family hosting exchange students from South Africa, Australia, Denmark, France, and Soviet Georgia. Two of the exchange students, Carla and Maka, still remain in touch.
Ross's love for the University of Michigan, never faint, only grew stronger over time - so much so that he and Helen bought a condominium in Washtenaw County to make attending the football and hockey games he loved even easier, and named their two cats Maizey and Blue. Ross also loved spending time with the many friends he met over his long life, from his hometown through Ann Arbor and his adopted home of Traverse City.
But family always came first. Although Mary was not expected to live a long life, she enjoyed 55 years before passing away in 2015. Susan's miraculous recovery allowed her to attend Central Michigan University, marry Chris Moffitt, and raise their daughter Carly. Attending Carly's gymnastic events were one of the highlights of Ross's life. His cat Maizey continues to miss him deeply, but is adjusting to life with 2 other cats at Susan's home in Ludington.
Ross was preceded in death by his wife Helen (2020), son Scott (1979), daughter Mary (2015), brother Bill, sister Margaret, mother Evelyn and father Ross. He is survived by his daughter Susan, son-in-law Chris, and granddaughter Carly, brother-in-law Art, sister-in-law Judy, nieces and nephews Krista & Katie, Carrie, Kim, Kelly, Mitchell, and Monty -- all from Canada.
Ross's "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday April 15, 2023 at the Hagerty Center, 715 East Front Street, Traverse City, at 11:00 a.m. The Celebration will be delivered by Pastor Homer Nye. Visitation will be one hour preceding, with lunch to follow the Celebration.
Memorials will be directed to Brickways Foundation, 935 Barlow Street, Traverse City, Mi 49686, Munson Hospice, 550 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, Mi 49686 or the newly established Ross and Helen Childs Scholarship through nmc.edu/give, 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, Mi 49686.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, Michigan. Internment will follow soon after in Leith Cemetery, Leith Ontario.



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