Ross Stenberg was a leader in the Roscoe VFW

Ross Warren Stenberg, 72, of Roscoe, Illinois, was drafted into the US Army in 1970 and served in the military police in the Vietnam War.  After his retirement, Ross and his wife Ann were active in the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 2955 in Roscoe. Ross served on the board and as an Honor and Color Guard, participating in veteran funerals and military remembrance ceremonies. He was also a member of the American Legion in Rockton.

Ross passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

Ross was born on October 18, 1950 in Rockford, Illinois to Harold and Marie Stenberg, both proud Swedes. Ross graduated from West High School in 1968 and attended Rock Valley College before going into the Army.

Faithful to our hometown, find local news in our free newsletter.

After his return from the war, Ross became a self-taught engineer, and worked in sales for Micro Switch and Honeywell. In the summer of 1980, Ross relocated his family to Denver, Colorado and soon co-founded an automation distribution company, Motion Solutions, Inc., which later became MSI and expanded across the western US. He enjoyed many happy and successful years in Colorado, where his children grew up.

In 2000, Ross retired, and he and his wife Ann relocated to northern Illinois to care for Ross’s ailing parents. They have enjoyed the past 22 years in the Stateline, surrounded by a strong local community, including their involvement in the VFW in Roscoe, which became their second family.

Ross was a quiet, intellectual man with a keen ear for music, a memorable dry sense of humor, and a love for all animals, including his rescue cat companions. He cherished walking and got outside every day. He also had great love of ham radio, having built his first Heathkit radio in high school and continuing his hobby throughout his lifetime, under the call name K9COX.

Ross is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Ann Stenberg; his children Amy (Jose) Garcia of London, UK and Heath (Leigh) Stenberg of Los Angeles, CA; his grandchildren Ella and Lawson Stenberg; his nieces Kristan (Eric) Augustin and Laurel (Christopher) Engel and their children. He is predeceased by his sister Carla Long, mother Marie Stenberg, father Harold Stenberg, aunt Janet Arneson, and uncles Marvin and Donald Bergman, who both died serving in World War II.

Please join Ross’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 14, 2023 between 2 -6 p.m., at the VFW Post 2955, 11385 2nd Street, Roscoe, IL 61073. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Ross Stenberg’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association or PAWS Humane Society.

“Every day is a holiday, every meal a feast, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade.”