Fred Cross

After eight years of severe health issues, Fred Cross entered into eternal rest on Saturday night, Dec. 24, 2016 while in hospice care in Kennewick, Wash.

Fred was the fourth child of 11 born to Floyd and Clarissa (Panck) Cross. He was born on May 25, 1935 in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was raised in Britton, Mich., where he attended Britton schools and graduated valedictorian from Britton-Macon Agricultural High School in 1953. He was awarded a Ford Foundation Scholarship and attended the University of Michigan where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Engineering Physics in 1958. After a six-month military active duty, he married his long-time friend and sweetheart, Marianna Wilcox (the girl next door), on November 29, 1958. In 1960 he applied for and received an Atomic Energy Commission Fellowship in Health Physics and enrolled at the University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y., where he earned his M.S. Degree in Radiation Biology in 1961 and his Ph.D. in Biophysics in 1967.

On May 8, 1967, Fred began his career as research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash. Initially he served as technical leader in Biophysics Dosimetry in the Health Physics Department and, in 1978 transferred to the Biology Department where he served as leader and co-investigator of several health effects studies. Prior to his retirement in 1995, he managed the Radon Health Effects Research Program for the Laboratory and was given the highest research title at that time of “Senior Staff Scientist.” During his working career, he traveled extensively overseas and in the United States presenting scientific papers. After retirement, he continued serving on national and international scientific committees and publishing scientific papers.

Fred enjoyed music (especially classical music) and was involved with church choir and the Mid-Columbia Choral. He was an unofficial recording artist for the Mid-Columbia Symphony for 30 years and in the Centennial year (1997) he wrote the notes for the symphony program.

Fred is survived by his wife Marianna; son Michael Thomas (Suzanne) of Pasco; son Andrew of Olympia; and daughter Catherine Marie (Ora Lee Wood) of Kennewick. Grandchildren include: David Michael (Kaitilyn) Cross of Benton City; Daniel James Cross of Spokane; Jonathan Mitchell Cross of Spokane; Nathan Ryan Cross of Pasco; Andrea Marie Cross of Olympia; and Brandon Lee Wood of Kennewick. He is also survived by sisters Ida May Stevens in Michigan; Leota Katherine (Arend) Bastiaans in Massachusetts; and brother Raymond (Jane) of Michigan, including several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Marylouise, Virginia and Christine and brothers James, Robert, Carl and Paul.

A private service was arranged by Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, Kennewick, Wash., with burial in Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Kennewick, Wash.

The family invites you to sign their online tribute wall at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.

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