Ross Robson

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Ross Everett Robson passed away at age 81 on May 23rd, at Autumn Care Assisted Living in Hyde Park, after saying his goodbyes to family and friends, he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Ross, was born on August 27, 1942 to Ralph and Amy Robson. Growing up in Plain City, Utah, he was active in 4-H, where he attended Nationals.  Another notable 4-H moment was when he was defeated in a 4-H camp President elections by his future spouse. He graduated from Weber High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Weber State University. While attending Weber State, he was Student Body 1st Vice President in 1964-65.  Ross furthered his education earning a Master’s from Utah State University and a PhD from the University of Maryland.  He taught at Midwestern College in Denison, IA, at the University of Georgia, the University of Tennessee, and Utah State University.

Ross met DaNece on a blind date in 1958  and were later married on August 23, 1963 in the Logan, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They lived in Iowa, Maryland, Georgia, and Tennessee before returning to the Logan area, where they have lived since 1979.   Ross was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Elders Quorum President, a member of two Bishoprics, and a High Councilor.

Ross served as Executive Director of the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing from 1989 to 2007.  Ross is recognized for strategically creating the Shingo Prize program which is internationally recognized.   Ross also served as an Associate Dean in the College of Business at USU. Business Week dubbed the Shingo Prize “the Nobel Prize of  Manufacturing.”  Ross was inducted into the World Academy of Productivity in 1999 and Recognized by Evolving Excellence of Superfactory.com as one of the “10 People Who Matters in Manufacturing” in 2006.   He was instrumental in the development of the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME), Society of Manufacturing Excellence (SME), and Shingo Prize Lean Certification programs.  Ross was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Manufacturing Excellence in 2007 by AME.  In 2008, Ross was awarded the Eli Whitney International Award for Productivity by SME.    Ross was also inducted into the inaugural group of AME Hall of Fame in 2011.  

Ross was also very active in his community, whether through church or politics.  He was active with Cache Democrats, even serving as the Cache Valley Coordinator for Gunn McKay for Congress campaign.  While in Knoxville, TN, Ross led homemade dipped chocolate fundraisers for the LDS ward. In Logan, Utah he was active in the demolition derby fundraisers, including submitting the Old Gray Goose (family’s car as a submission).  As a two time cancer survivor he was active in the Cache Valley Relay for Life, walking as a survivor.   While teaching at USU, he opened his home to international students to provide a space for them to fill at home and share their culture with his family, this resulted in lifelong friendships.

Ross was preceded in death by his spouse, DaNece: parents, Ralph and Amy, and siblings, Hyla Bartholomew, Thayne Robson, and Vira Beth Bartholomew.  He is survived by siblings Cherrill Martin, and Kent Robson; four children, Kyle (Janet), Kimberly, Trent (Adrienne), and Travis; four grandchildren, Erin, Colwin, Soren, and Eira

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 1st at 11:00 am in the North Logan LDS Ward, 1550 E. 1900 N. There will be a viewing held on Friday evening from 6-8 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan, and at the church on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 am. Online condolences and the livestream link for the funeral can be found at https://www.allenmortuaries.com   In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Ross’s memory to Cache Valley Food Bank at https://gofund.me/ca39350c or the American Cancer Society at https://gofund.me/9fdd85ee.