He was a millionaire turned philanthropist who doled out cash to readers of his syndicated column, "Thanks a Million", for more than 16 years. He closed his wallet when he ended his column in September 1999 after handing out an estimated $30 million.∼
Mr. Ross was a syndicated columnist, author, humanitarian, multi-millionaire and philanthropist. Preceeded in death by parents, William and Ruth (Shuman) Ross and his wife of 61 years, Luarian Ross. Survived by two sons.
He was proud of his humble origins as the son of poor immigrants from Latvia and Russia, growing up during the Great Depression in mining country on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He moved to Duluth in 1936 to work in the metal and fur industries. He married Laurian Averbook on July 2nd, 1939. By the end of World War II, he had made a small fortune and he came to Minneapolis in 1946. During the next 20 years, he went broke twice until he struck it rich after the purchase of a company by the name of Poly-Tech, that made polyethylene plastic bags. In 1969 he sold the company for $8 million, which he split evenly with his wife and sons. He then set on a course of making successful investments and amassing a considerable fortune.
Ross turned his wealth into celebrity in the 1970s, throwing spectacular parties, that were well-publicized and eagerly attended by the Minnesota power-elite, sports figures, Hollywood celebraties and popular politicians of the day.
But the spectacular parties soon gave way to spectacular giving, funded by returns on investments in Oklahoma oil wells, a copper mine, Broadway shows and "about 50 Minnesota companies." From 1983 to 1999 he was the author of a syndicated advice and cash-giveaway column called "Thanks a Million," where he responded to letters from people asking for money and donations. He also hosted a daily radio show, syndicated to 400 stations. He claimed to have given away as much as $30 million over 17 years. In 1987, Ross published a semiautobiographical book, "Ask for the Moon -- And Get It!"
"You know my motto, don't you?" he told a Times interviewer in 1987. "He who gives while he lives also knows where it goes. . . .
Mr. Ross was a syndicated columnist, author, humanitarian, multi-millionaire and philanthropist. Preceeded in death by parents, William and Ruth (Shuman) Ross and his wife of 61 years, Luarian Ross. Survived by two sons.
He was proud of his humble origins as the son of poor immigrants from Latvia and Russia, growing up during the Great Depression in mining country on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He moved to Duluth in 1936 to work in the metal and fur industries. He married Laurian Averbook on July 2nd, 1939. By the end of World War II, he had made a small fortune and he came to Minneapolis in 1946. During the next 20 years, he went broke twice until he struck it rich after the purchase of a company by the name of Poly-Tech, that made polyethylene plastic bags. In 1969 he sold the company for $8 million, which he split evenly with his wife and sons. He then set on a course of making successful investments and amassing a considerable fortune.
Ross turned his wealth into celebrity in the 1970s, throwing spectacular parties, that were well-publicized and eagerly attended by the Minnesota power-elite, sports figures, Hollywood celebraties and popular politicians of the day.
But the spectacular parties soon gave way to spectacular giving, funded by returns on investments in Oklahoma oil wells, a copper mine, Broadway shows and "about 50 Minnesota companies." From 1983 to 1999 he was the author of a syndicated advice and cash-giveaway column called "Thanks a Million," where he responded to letters from people asking for money and donations. He also hosted a daily radio show, syndicated to 400 stations. He claimed to have given away as much as $30 million over 17 years. In 1987, Ross published a semiautobiographical book, "Ask for the Moon -- And Get It!"
"You know my motto, don't you?" he told a Times interviewer in 1987. "He who gives while he lives also knows where it goes. . . .
He was a millionaire turned philanthropist who doled out cash to readers of his syndicated column, "Thanks a Million", for more than 16 years. He closed his wallet when he ended his column in September 1999 after handing out an estimated $30 million.∼
Mr. Ross was a syndicated columnist, author, humanitarian, multi-millionaire and philanthropist. Preceeded in death by parents, William and Ruth (Shuman) Ross and his wife of 61 years, Luarian Ross. Survived by two sons.
He was proud of his humble origins as the son of poor immigrants from Latvia and Russia, growing up during the Great Depression in mining country on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He moved to Duluth in 1936 to work in the metal and fur industries. He married Laurian Averbook on July 2nd, 1939. By the end of World War II, he had made a small fortune and he came to Minneapolis in 1946. During the next 20 years, he went broke twice until he struck it rich after the purchase of a company by the name of Poly-Tech, that made polyethylene plastic bags. In 1969 he sold the company for $8 million, which he split evenly with his wife and sons. He then set on a course of making successful investments and amassing a considerable fortune.
Ross turned his wealth into celebrity in the 1970s, throwing spectacular parties, that were well-publicized and eagerly attended by the Minnesota power-elite, sports figures, Hollywood celebraties and popular politicians of the day.
But the spectacular parties soon gave way to spectacular giving, funded by returns on investments in Oklahoma oil wells, a copper mine, Broadway shows and "about 50 Minnesota companies." From 1983 to 1999 he was the author of a syndicated advice and cash-giveaway column called "Thanks a Million," where he responded to letters from people asking for money and donations. He also hosted a daily radio show, syndicated to 400 stations. He claimed to have given away as much as $30 million over 17 years. In 1987, Ross published a semiautobiographical book, "Ask for the Moon -- And Get It!"
"You know my motto, don't you?" he told a Times interviewer in 1987. "He who gives while he lives also knows where it goes. . . .
Mr. Ross was a syndicated columnist, author, humanitarian, multi-millionaire and philanthropist. Preceeded in death by parents, William and Ruth (Shuman) Ross and his wife of 61 years, Luarian Ross. Survived by two sons.
He was proud of his humble origins as the son of poor immigrants from Latvia and Russia, growing up during the Great Depression in mining country on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He moved to Duluth in 1936 to work in the metal and fur industries. He married Laurian Averbook on July 2nd, 1939. By the end of World War II, he had made a small fortune and he came to Minneapolis in 1946. During the next 20 years, he went broke twice until he struck it rich after the purchase of a company by the name of Poly-Tech, that made polyethylene plastic bags. In 1969 he sold the company for $8 million, which he split evenly with his wife and sons. He then set on a course of making successful investments and amassing a considerable fortune.
Ross turned his wealth into celebrity in the 1970s, throwing spectacular parties, that were well-publicized and eagerly attended by the Minnesota power-elite, sports figures, Hollywood celebraties and popular politicians of the day.
But the spectacular parties soon gave way to spectacular giving, funded by returns on investments in Oklahoma oil wells, a copper mine, Broadway shows and "about 50 Minnesota companies." From 1983 to 1999 he was the author of a syndicated advice and cash-giveaway column called "Thanks a Million," where he responded to letters from people asking for money and donations. He also hosted a daily radio show, syndicated to 400 stations. He claimed to have given away as much as $30 million over 17 years. In 1987, Ross published a semiautobiographical book, "Ask for the Moon -- And Get It!"
"You know my motto, don't you?" he told a Times interviewer in 1987. "He who gives while he lives also knows where it goes. . . .
Bio by: Ron Moody
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