Robert E. Gross

GARDINER – Robert E. Gross, 75, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at Maine General Hospital with his loving family at his side. He is the husband of Ava D. (Director) Gross with whom he shared 25 years of marriage.

Robert was born Jan. 18, 1950, in Chicago, Ill. He is the son of the late Herbert and Alice (Karp) Gross. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from New Trier High School. He went on to further his education by graduating from Lake Forest College with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He later went to University of Southern Maine and received his master’s degree in social work.

Robert was a Health Planner for the State of Maine Department of Health and Human services for 27 years, retiring in 2005. He previously worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor, worked as an EMT and pioneered a way of transporting children who were in automobile accidents and served Kennebec County CERT. He was also an ambulance inspector for many years and volunteered with his therapy dog, Fraggle.

He was a member of Temple Beth El in Augusta and the Augusta Historical Society. Bob was an avid stamp collector and train and fishing enthusiast.

In addition to his loving wife Ava, Robert is survived by his first wife Julie Jones of Hallowell; his children Elijah Gross of Hallowell, Alexander Gross of Bangor, Sarah Rowlands of Freeport and Becky Rowlands and her husband Pete Sylvain of Lowell, Mass.; his grandson Thomas “Toby” Sylvain; his brother Barry Gross and his wife Janet of Northbrook, Ill. He is also survived by his nephew Adam Gross and his spouse Raymond Kavombwe and his niece Jessica Gershuny and her husband Greg; as well as many cousins.

In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his wife Ruth M. Gilbert.

Robert’s Memorial Service will be in Temple Beth El, 3 Woodlawn Street, Augusta, Maine on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. Immediately following services interment will be in Temple Beth El Memorial Park, Portland, Maine.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.