Robert A. Rossi, Sr., whose engineering and architectural firm designed buildings that became familiar local landmarks, died Monday in ProMedica Flower Hospital. He was 90.
He was in declining health, his family said.
Mr. Rossi of Sylvania Township, a structural and civil engineer and surveyor, was president of Rossi & Associates, which began in 1960 as an engineering consultancy. The surnames of architects and other engineers followed “Rossi” in the firm’s name through the years. Still, Mr. Rossi retained full ownership, said sons Scot and Brad, architects and vice presidents of the business. Mr. Rossi had not been active in the firm the last year.
Buildings to the firm’s credit include the teaching hospital at Medical College of Ohio, now the University of Toledo Medical Center; Dana Holding Corp. headquarters on Dorr Street in Toledo, now occupied by Welltower Inc., as well as schools — including Owens Community College; churches — including St. Joan of Arc in his own parish, and Whirlpool Corp. manufacturing facilities. He’d been a licensed engineer in 30 states and a noted roofing consultant, son Brad said.
In 1979, the firm was honored by the Toledo Area Concrete Association for the creative use of concrete in such buildings as the MCO Hospital; the 10-story bank building at West Central Avenue and Executive Parkway; Mercy Hospital, and Nabisco in East Toledo.
A skilled problem-solver with “mathematical prowess,” his son Scot said, Mr. Rossi didn’t let drawings out of the office until they were checked and rechecked.
“He was all consumed with his work,” son Scot said. “He worked every day until he couldn’t. He never really had hobbies. It was the love of engineering.”
He could be tough to work for, but some colleagues were able to come to him with personal problems. He could be sarcastic and liked to tell jokes, some blue.
“He didn’t filter out a lot of things,” son Scot said. “He was the funniest guy and the most benevolent guy I ever met.”
In 1996, Guillain-Barre syndrome left Mr. Rossi in near total paralysis. At Flower Hospital’s rehabilitation center, he had to relearn walking, eating, and dressing, according to the center’s 1997 annual report. Afterward, he counseled others recovering from the condition and took part in the center’s consumer advisory board.
“He was principled and generous,” son Brad said.
He was born June 5, 1925, in St. Paul to Julia and Eugene Rossi. He left high school early to join the Marines during World War II. He fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima and suffered two wounds — from a hand grenade blast and gunfire — and received two Purple Hearts. Shrapnel was still visible in his legs.
“He didn’t talk about it too much. I guess it was a pretty rough time there,” son Brad said. “He had a lot of friends die in the war.”
After the war, he took classes year-round at the University of Michigan until he had bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and civil engineering and a master’s degree in engineering.
His son Robert, Jr., a field engineer in the firm, died in 1998.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Charlotte “Polly” Rossi, whom he married Feb. 5, 1949; daughters, Mary Jane Walton and Jill Bratton; sons Brad and Scot, and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday in the Coyle Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at noon Saturday in St. Joan of Arc Church, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Contact Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.
First Published February 4, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
