Steve Ross (né Szmulek Rozental) was born in 1931 near Łódź, Poland. He spent 5 years in 10 different concentration camps, including Budzyń, Auschwitz, and Dachau. He survived medical experiments, starvation, sexual abuse, and brutal beatings on a daily basis. When Ross was liberated from Dachau, he was 14 years old and weighed 50 lbs. His parents and 6 of his 7 siblings were murdered. After the war, Ross came to America as a World War II refugee orphan. He eventually settled in the Boston area where he became a social worker and spent his life helping at-risk youth. The people Ross helped speak of him as their savior – he was a devoted mentor, dedicated psychologist, and most of all, a compassionate human being. Over the years, Ross has influenced countless young people by sharing his story of survival and teaching them about the dangers of hate and racism. He is survived by his two children, Michael and Julie, and his grandson. Ross witnessed humanity in its darkest hour, yet leaves us with a legacy of light and hope. May his memory forever be a blessing, BDE.
Source: American Society for Yad Vashem
