Ross William Babcock, 92, passed away of natural causes on January 10, 2018 at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta, CA. Ross "Ole" was born November 7, 1925 in Flandreau, SD to Everette NC and Emma A (Bennett) Babcock. He attended Liberty Country School in Moody County until the eighth grade. He then attended Flandreau Public School graduating in 1943. He flew one of the Babcock family's airplanes back and forth from the Flandreau Airport to Vermillion, SD while attending USD on a full ride scholarship. He attended USD from 1946-1949 graduating with a Bachelor of Science and Education Degree. He worked in Des Moines, IA setting up a company for Bell and Howell and then moved to Duluth, MN and onto New Orleans, LA working for National Cash Register Co. He then moved to England to work on the exportation of oil from the North Sea for Gulf Oil. Ross married Frieda Paula Kunzie on Nov 24, 1972 in San Diego, CA. They then moved to Menifee, CA where Ross worked for various banks, Canon Company and then finally retiring. Paula passed away July 13, 2016 as a result of a stroke. Despite Ross acquiring polio as a child and being a kidney cancer survivor, his occupations allowed him to do alot of traveling. Ross was a member of the Masons and he and his great niece, Roxanne Lewis-Bush share birthdays on the same day.

Ross is survived by his 3 nieces, Roberta "Rob" (Larry) Johnson, Whitewood, SD, Janet (John Van Beek) Babcock, Sioux Falls, SD, Laurie (Kerry) Thomas, Flandreau, SD, 1 nephew, James (Rita) Babcock, Kenai, AK, 4 great-nephews, Scott (Amanda Drennen) Lewis, Jesse Babcock, Robert (Will) DiMercurio, Brook (Lacey) Rentschler, 5 great-nieces, Roxanne Lewis-Bush, Jennifer (Eric) Lewis-Valdez, Lillian and Rosario Babcock, Elizabeth (Jeromy) Van Beek, 9 great-great nephews, Kyle and Kelly Lewis, Alec Valdez, Cody, Riley and Wyatt Bush, Noah and Austin Van Beek, Holdyn Rentschler, 6 great-great nieces, Alyssa (Chris) Lewis-Raley, Jessalyn, Marissa, Vanessa Valdez, Sydney Babcock, Paisley Rentschler. Ross was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, 3 brothers, Charles Donald "Spot", Robert "Buck", infant brother William Everette, infant nephew Charles Dean Babcock, grandparents Charles and Olive (Cheatam) Babcock and William and Junia (Manson) Bennett.

Internment will take place in Des Moines, IA.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 11991 Oak Drive, Whitewood, SD 57793.