Gross, Walter Burnham

Walter Burnham Gross died and returned to our Lord on March 7, 2017. He is remembered as a loving husband to his wife Betty (who preceded him in death) for 62 years and a loving father to his children. Burn is survived by his three children; Robert, Lisa and Linda; and three grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew and Megan.

Born in Sandusky, Ohio on January 17, 1925, Burn earned his Veterinary degree at Ohio State University. During World War II, he served in the peacekeeping troops in the Philippines. Burn was a beloved Professor of Veterinary Science at Virginia Tech for more than 40 years. During his time at the college, he was a prolific researcher, with over 160 published works to his name. His greatest accomplishments included a cure for tuberculosis in chickens and the use of vitamin C as a cancer treatment in dogs and chickens.

Burn’s love for animals was shown in the menagerie he kept over the years at his and Betty’s property on Lark Lane. This included over one hundred peafowl, golden pheasants, Japanese quail, owls, sheep, a goat, a horse, cats, dogs, and an emu. For many years, classes from the local elementary schools would take field trips to his “farm” to see the animals. He would also bring his birds into schools to teach the students about them.

Burn’s love for nature also extended to flora, as he was a Master Gardener who specialized in keeping and propagating wild flowers. He could see the beauty in all of God’s creation, down to the smallest of flowers and wished to pass what he knew on to others. Burn was also an avid photographer. He could always be found with either a still camera or a video camera; keeping the lives of his family well documented. He was also an active hiker, and Explorer Scout Leader and a 4-H leader. He was an active member of St. Michael Lutheran Church where he served in a number of areas for over 40 years.

A memorial service for Burn will be held on July 16 at St. Michael Lutheran Church at 2308 Merrimac Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060. Refreshments will be served at 1:30PM with the service following at 2:15PM.