Ross A. McElroy, M.D.

Ross McElroy of Gainesville, Florida and St. Augustine, Florida, died on March 9, 2024, of metastatic liver cancer. Born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, Ross grew up in Alvin, Texas, the only child of Ross A. McElroy Sr. and Geraldine Holt McElroy. He earned a B.S. at The University of Texas, Austin, and an M.D. at The University of Texas Medical School, Galveston, where he also completed his Residency in Psychiatry. Dr. McElroy enlisted in the US Navy and served as Lt. Commander from 1965 to 1967 in the Washington area. He later graduated from the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. After a first marriage ended in divorce, Ross met Linda Provus while both were working at St. Elizabeths Hospital. They married in 1984 and relocated to Gainesville in 1985, when Ross accepted a UF faculty position in the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine. During his career at UF, Dr. McElroy served as Director of Residency Training, American Psychiatric Association Board Examiner, and President of the Florida Psychiatric Society. He was also voted Teacher of the Year twice. After more than three decades, Ross McElroy retired from the Department in 2016. Outside of work, Ross cherished sports, especially fishing, which began in his early childhood. In Gainesville, he was a long time member of the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club, serving as Board Member and President. He and Linda have also been UF football and basketball boosters since the 1980's. Other pleasures came from travels with his wife, including Eastern and Western Europe, Scandinavia, South America, Russia and China. Most special were their ten trips to the beautiful state of Alaska. Ross is survived by his wife, Linda Provus McElroy, Ph.D., and three children from his first marriage: TAnn McElroy, of Los Angeles, John McElroy, of Aiken, South Carolina, and Ross McElroy III of Salt Lake City, along with five beloved grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Karen McElroy and his parents. Funeral services will be private. Those wishing to make a donation may consider the UF Helping Hands Clinic, the GOFC or the Animal Legal Defense Fund.