Robert Ross (1920–2006) was the founder and leader of the

Muscular Dystrophy Association The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an American 501(c)(3) umbrella organization that works to support people with neuromuscular diseases. Founded in 1950 by Paul Cohen, who lived with muscular dystrophy, it works to combat neuromuscular di ...

in 1950. Ross served as

CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

for 44 years until his death in 2006. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is an organization which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and the general public. The work of Robert Ross was appreciated by many and it was he who persuaded

Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. As his contributions to comedy and charity made him a global figure in popular culture, pop culture ...

to undertake a yearly

telethon A telethon (a portmanteau of "television" and "marathon") is a televised fundraising event that lasts many hours or even days, the purpose of which is to raise money for a charitable, political or other purportedly worthy cause. Most telethons f ...

to raise money for

muscular dystrophy Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ as to which muscles are primarily affe ...

. Starting in February 1999, Ross wrote a column for MDA, titled ''The Ross Report''—the final submission to The Ross Report was made in May 2006, one month before Ross's death. Ross died in June 2006 aged 86, following complications of surgery to repair a broken hip.The Arizona Star, "Robert Ross dies at 86; brought MDA to Tucson" June 7, 2006.

Named after him

Asteroid 6641 Bobross

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Robert 2006 deaths Muscular dystrophy American nonprofit chief executives 1920 births