Richard "Dick" Gross, DDS
February 2, 1940 ~ April 8, 2023
Richard “Dick” Gross, DDS, age 83, of Forest Lake, passed away April 8, 2023 after a rapidly progressing angiosarcoma diagnosis. Dick jokingly wrote for his senior year quote, “Greater men than I have lived, but I doubt it.” And we agree:)
Dick was born on February 2, 1940 to Victor and Dorothy (Tyvoll) Gross. He grew up in Luck, Wisconsin and was involved in every activity except girls quartet and cheerleading. Dick graduated from Luck High School as a 4-sport athlete in 1958, married the love of his life, Erin McCaffrey, in 1963, and graduated from the U of M Dental School in 1964. Dick then served in Germany as a Captain in the Army for a two-year tour. After serving, Dick and Erin moved to Forest Lake and opened up a dental office in town where he practiced for 30 years. He will forever be remembered as “the whistling dentist,” being a kind-hearted businessman who supported the community, and always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Dick worked hard and played hard, understanding work-life balance before it was cool.
Dick enjoyed golf, playing cards, singing in the church choir, volunteering with the cemetery committee, being a Community Scholarship Foundation board member, and having dinner with friends, including ones from Ft. Myers. But Dick especially loved his family: birthday dinners, holiday gatherings, family vacations (skiing out West, camping in the Boundary Waters, and snorkeling in Grand Cayman), and watching his grandchildren participate in all their sports and activities. He has been known to wear a “Synchro Girls Rule The Pool” t-shirt with pride and even performed in Camille’s senior synchro show with some of the dads. Dick attended Prior Lake football games just to watch the halftime marching band performance for Sophie and Emma, and he has a Facebook account for the sole purpose of watching Joe’s hockey games.
Known as the connector of the family, Dick was the one who planned all the get-togethers, the one ready with a joke, the one ready to play a game, and the one ready to have fun. He was a great man, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He will be dearly missed.
Dick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Erin; daughters, Amy Gross (Jim Gannon), Katy Gross (Larry Matzdorf); grandchildren, Camille Gross, Sophie Gannon, Emma Gannon, Joe Gannon; great-granddog, Covie; siblings, Gene (Mary Lou) Gross, Karen (Bob) Martin, Buzz (Gail) Gross, Norma Lien; and many other relatives and friends.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents; stillborn son, Thomas; son, Mike Gross; niece, Lori Gross; brother-in-law, Jim Lien; and sister-in-law, Miki Gemmel.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 21 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22 at 11:00 am at Church of St. Peter, 1250 S. Shore Dr., Forest Lake, with a visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow the Mass. Interment for family only will be at Calvary Cemetery after the luncheon. The family prefers memorials directed to the Forest Lake Scholarship Foundation or donor’s choice.
For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed here: https://youtube.com/live/0jVCpKPp-yM?feature=share.
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My condolences to the Gross family! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
A Sad day in Forest Lake .. thoughts are with the family during this time ..
Boss, neighbor, friend….planner of THE best 13 Ave.neighborhood Olympic yearly events. He made summer fun for our families. Dick Gross was a good man that will be fondly remembered.
Bob and Penny
He was a wonderful volunteer, who came and spent time with my disabled husband so I was able to have a break. I hope I did a good job of letting him know how much it meant. He would play cribbage with Jerry and he would win which always brought a big smile. My prayers and love to the family.
It was a pleasure and an honor to get to know such a kind and generous man.
Dick was a great friend who will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. My condolences to Erin and family. May he rest in peace
Dick and Erin were wonderful neighbors who live across the channel from us on 13th Ave. Every August, the families of 13th Ave would take on the families of 12th Ave in volleyball and other fun type competitive games at Beltz. It was a great time together as a neighborhood unit, even though the 12th Ave families usually won each year. Dick’s outgoing personality and wonderful disposition had an impact on everyone he met. I know that words are inadequate at a time like this Erin, but my family was blessed to have known Dick, you and the children during those wonderful years on the channel. With deepest sympathy, Love, the Millingtons
Dick was a very dear friend of mine. We were on the same bowling team for many years. Dick and Bill Morehead would play golf against myself and Clarence Fussy. We would play a course in Minnesota one week and a course in Wisconsin the following week. Following golf we always played cards and had lunch. Another wonderful memory was going to San Diego with 8 of us to enjoy a week of golf while playing 36 holes each day. Dick and I roomed together during that fantastic time. I will truly treasure the times we had together.
On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Dick’s military service to our country in the Army.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Amy- thinking of you and your family. In God’s peace, Rhonda Koch
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Our deepest sympathy.Griff and Mary Nordling
Q: How did you meet Richard?
A: I met Dr. Gross over 30 years ago. He was the dentist I chose to go to. Always so pleasant and did a lot of work to me . Still have most all of the crowns I still have. Just an awesome person & dentist.
My husband Tom Mike worked with him on the cemetery crew. When he passed he came to my house for a lunch we served when we buried Tom’s ashes at Calvary in FL. He will be missed. RIP Dick
We are blessed and will always cherish the many memories we shared with you and Dick.
My wife Sue and I express our deepest sympathies to Erin and the Gross family. Dick was a High School classmate of mine in Luck, Wisconsin, class of 1958, and we will miss him greatly. Dick was a wonderful man and his obituary documents so well the legacy he leaves behind. As someone living in a different state, I am grateful for the time and energy he gave to maintain contact with HS classmates, and for organizing our reunions. I pulled out our 1958 High School annual to relive the early days a bit, and I was struck by the “Senior Farwell” for our class. I want to include it here as a tribute Dick: “We’re proud of this, our way of life, thankful for all it has given us; the opportunity to learn, a chance to enlarge our future horizons, with truth and joy, an honest pride and deep thought, with those we know and love best. Now we leave our way of life, but all our memories (of high school) are in our hearts, and are ours forever.” Words to live by. RIP Dear Friend.
Dick always had a beautiful smile on his face, so welcoming and cheerful. Erin and Dick were inseparable. To have a love like that is special. Dick, you will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with you all. Sending you all of our love.
Gross Family, Sorry for your loss. May all prayers, hugs and thoughts give strength for healing.
Great dentist. I remember him whistling while reviewing my x-rays as a kid.
To the Gross family – we love you and pray for comfort and God’s peace.
Erin, Amy and Katie,
Our deepest sympathy and Prayers are sent to you. We are remembering all the gatherings at your beautiful home. We loved Dick’s smile and positive comments. He appeared to Love us all.
We remember all the Viking Games we enjoyed together. Those tailgating parties at the Met were fun.
I will be in Boston and Hopefully John will be there to support you. 🙏✝️❤️
Amy, Jim, Sophie, Emma, and JoeOur most heartfelt and deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. Love, The Ernstes and Fitterers
Thank you, Dick, for Many Pleasant Memories
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. With deepest sympathy as you remember Uncle Dick.
Amy, Our warmest condolences to you and your family. From, Your friends from OCEP