ROSS J. BERLIN

Dec. 6, 1918 - May 30, 2009

Ross Jr. was born to Ross Elmer and Maude (Clark) Berlin in Oakland, California on December 6, 1918 during the Spanish flu epidemic. He was a graduate of Foresthill Elementary School in the logging and mining town of Foresthill, CA. He graduated from Placer Union High School in Auburn, CA in 1937. While in high school he played the guitar with the orchestra and set a pole vault record of 11’4” with a bamboo pole in track and field. He married his childhood sweetheart Iris J. Rains in Reno, NV on July 2, 1938 and began housekeeping at The Elliott Ranch cow camp and herded his father’s cattle above Foresthill. WWII broke out and the family moved to Napa, CA where Ross drove truck to assist with the war effort. Eventually he and his family settled in Sacramento where Ross owned and operated two long haul semis. He then purchased a farm in the Natomas District in the Sacramento Valley. He spent the next 20 years working as a California State Brand Inspector covering three counties.

In 1969 he and Iris moved to Jackson, Wyoming where he did carpentry work at Teton Village until his small taxidermy business took hold. The rest is history. He had an artistic talent for making game heads so lifelike, he became known as one of the best for his taxidermy work. In 1970 Ross and Iris opened the doors to Wildlife Taxidermy Studio and Museum. It was a dream he had that became reality. On display were scenes with life-sized animals with beautiful background murals painted by Steve Spencer of Idaho Falls. His exhibits awed both locals and tourists until its closing in 1992. From 1992 - 1998 Ross lived at Hoback Junction. In February of 1998 he moved to Pinedale to be closer to his youngest daughter Paula Calhoun and her family (Don and children Calie, Jennifer, Charlean and Casey).

Ross loved the great outdoors, animals, calf roping, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, photography and good friends and family. He celebrated an early 90th birthday and Father’s Day in Foresthill with family and friends last summer. He was loved dearly and will be missed always.

He passed away at his home in Pinedale on Saturday May 30, 2009.

He is survived by his daughters Sherelda (Jim) McCrary, Linda (Gary) Norton, and Paula Calhoun; sons Ross E. (Bev) Berlin, Wayne Berlin, and Dennis Berlin; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Frances Rains; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Iris of 45 years, son-in-law Donnie Calhoun, and brothers George and Warren Berlin.

At his request no services will be held.

For the complete article see the 06-12-2009 issue.

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