A true Dalian, Dick Ross, or Dickie as he was also known, was raised in the 700 block of Wilson Avenue and attended Beardsley School from Kindergarten through eighth grade. He entered North High as a freshman in 1953 when the school opened, and, was the first class to attend North High all four years. This was a special time at the brand new school; developing friendships, setting goals, and establishing traditions while being encouraged and inspired by a young and dedicated team of teachers.
Dick admired all his coaches including “B” class football coaches Dusty Rhodes, John Harp, and Dick Westbay, and, his varsity football coaches, Aubrey Allen and Turk Eliades. Turk was not only an outstanding coach, but, also a world-class math teacher who inspired Dick to follow his footsteps and explore the awesome field of mathematics with the next generation.
As a freshman and sophomore, Dick played on the “B” class football team on both the offense and defense as right guard and linebacker respectively. Both teams went undefeated, and, he was voted MVP at the end of his sophomore year. By his junior and senior years, this 145 pound football player was now on the varsity team playing both ways again. This time he was an offensive right guard and a defensive nose tackle which garnered him All-League First Team honors both years and MVP his senior year.
Dick was also an outstanding track athlete competing in the 880 and the 1320 as a sophomore on both the “B” class and varsity track teams. That same year, he anchored the “B” class distance medley team at the Kern Relays where they set the meet record. As a junior and senior, he ran either the 880 or the mile since you could not compete in both events in the same meet. Dick held the school record in both those races running a 4:45 in the mile and a 2:02 in the 880.
After North High, Dick attended Bakersfield College where he lettered in both cross-country and track. In December 1958 he married Barbie and the two moved to Northern California where he received his BA and teaching credential at San Jose State. Returning to Bakersfield in 1963, Dick began his teaching career at Foothill High School. During 1968 through 1969, he received a National Science Foundation Grant from San Diego State where he obtained his master’s degree in math. In 1972, Dick “returned home” to North High where he taught “groups of outstanding students” until his retirement in June 1997.
Dick and Barbie have two children, four granddaughters and twin grandsons. Their son Jeff, a CPA, graduated from North in 1983, went to BC, and graduated from Cal. Daughter Linda, graduated from North in 1985 and the University of San Diego, and, is now a math teacher in Vista, California. Dick and his daughter Linda are the only father/daughter pair to win the coveted Sam Lynn Trophy depicting the most outstanding athlete at North High.
Dick Ross left his mark at North High as not only a student but a beloved teacher as well. His students were truly blessed to have had such a great mentor and inspiring role model, and, the entire Oildale community has prospered by having him as one of their own.