Richard Gross

Richard Michael Gross, age 75, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021 surrounded by love in the comfort of his ranch home. He was born in New York, New York to Bruno and Rosemarie Gross. He was the oldest of two boys. As a young boy he enjoyed playing stickball in the streets of New York. After graduating from high school at St. John’s Preparatory School he attended St. John's University. His first professional job was with Pan American Airlines in computer software development. He left Pan Am to serve his country in the United States Army. On his return to the states he attended Pace University and earned degrees in business and computer science.

Richard married the love of his life, Elfriede “Elfie” Grau, in 1969. They moved to Florida to start the next chapter of his career and begin a family. Richard started what would be a 30+ year career as a computer systems analyst with AC Nielsen Company developing the software used for decades to monitor television viewing audiences. Richard and Elfie spent more than 15 years raising their family on the beaches of Florida. In 1987 Richard and family moved West to El Paso, Texas to continue his career with AC Nielsen and get closer to his lifelong dream to become a real cowboy. In 2005 Rich and Elfie bought a ranch and built their dream ranch house in Capitan, New Mexico where he lived the rest of his life.

Rich is survived by his wife of 52 years Elfie, their four children Kurt (Robin) of El Paso; Erik (Stephanie) of Pleasant View, UT; Kristina Wieland (Blaine) of El Paso; and John (Anna) of Freedom, NH. Rich was blessed with 8 Grandchildren Trinity, William, Lillian, Aidan, Jackson, Genevieve, Evelyn and Georgina.

There is no doubt that Rich is riding his paint horse, Apache, checking fence lines in the grassy pastures on the other side of the pearly gates.

Rosary will take place at 11:00am on Friday, May 28, 2021 at Sacred Heart Church in Capitan, NM followed immediately by mass at 11:30am. The Internment will take place at 1:30pm at Fort Stanton Veteran Cemetery.