Alexander Rossi

ROSSI, Alexander Was born August 6, 1922, in Santa Barbara. His parents were the late Frank and Mart Bertino Rossi. Alex attended Santa Barbara schools, excelling in academic studies and athletics, graduating from Santa Barbara High School in January, 1941, as president of the senior class. He was a member of the National Honor Society. He played varsity football for the team known as the Golden Tornado which won the CIF championship at the Coliseum in Los Angeles in December, 1940. The Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association honored him as Distinguished Alumnus in 1995. After graduation, he entered the University of California, Berkeley, in the fall of 1941 with engineering as a major. World War II having started, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (as it was then called), in 1942. Called to active duty in the Army Air Corps in February, 1943, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and a pilot for two- and four-engine aircraft. Subsequently, he was an instructor of two- engine B-25 aircraft. Following the war, Alex re-entered Berkeley, graduating with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950, followed by a M.S. in Industrial Engineering in 1951. He taught engineering for UC Extension Division in addition to his work in industry. The space program beckoned and he joined the Douglas Aircraft Co. He became Chief Design Engineer in the NASA Delta program and part of that program until retirement. He was on special assignment as consultant to the European space program, headquartered at Bremen, Germany, for two years. Other assignments were in the South Pacific and England. Upon retirement, the Rossis returned to Santa Barbara County and continued the family project of restoration of Ballard Adobes (Santa Barbara County Landmark #20). Alex was active in community projects, president of Los Olivos Improvement Assn., involved in Los Olivos Days, and later a founding member of Preservation of Los Olivos. He served as Junior and Senior Wardens at St. Mark's in the Valley Episcopal Church. Alex and Dale Rhodehamel met in Santa Barbara Junior High School and were married in Santa Barbara. They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary after a long and happy marriage. He is survived by his wife, Dale. Their children are Jon Alexander (Patricia), Christopher Jaime (Linda), and Douglas Dale (Kim). Grandchildren are Michael (Debbie), Amy Solomon (Cam), Lauren Reynolds (Tom), Christopher (Randi), Kate Rossi, and Claire Cooper. Great grandchildren are Jon Rossi and West Solomon. In accordance with Alex's wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may recognize the services provided by Serenity House, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, 222 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, or the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Ynez Valley, 436 First St., Suite 202, Solvang, CA 93463, or Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.

Alexander Rossi

August 6, 1922 - February 19, 2012