Ross William Doman
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Ross Doman died on Nov. 17 in Milwaukee after a six-year battle with Benson Syndrome, a form of early-onset dementia that affects vision as well as memory. He was 59.
He came to Laramie in 2006 to serve as WYDOT's District 1 public relations specialist, a job he did until 2016, when his illness forced him to take a disability retirement.
He enjoyed Laramie's university atmosphere and outdoor recreation opportunities, and was active in the local cycling and cross-country skiing communities.
He raced in the Dead Dog Classic, rode the Tour of Wyoming several times, and once rode the Tour de Prairie on a single-speed bike.
After work during the winter he would often head to Tie City, put on his headlamp and enjoy some moonlight skiing with his faithful red healer, Buck. He and Buck were a winning Frisbee team, and after practicing on hot days, they would sit neck-deep in the Laramie River to cool off.
When his vision problems ended his driving days, he rode his bike downtown daily to check in with his friends at Pedal House, Coal Creek, Night Heron and other haunts, where he would commune with what he called his tribe. When he was no longer able to ride his bike, he made the trip on foot.
He became a Cowboy fan, but he proudly displayed his share of Green Bay Packers stock on his wall, and returned to Lambeau Field for a game once a year. Also on his wall were Milwaukee Brewers team pictures from his high school years when he served as one of the team's batboys. In 1982, while at the University of Wisconsin, he was called out of retirement by the Brewers to work their World Series games against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ross was born in Milwaukee on Nov. 14, 1962, and graduated from Brookfield East High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a master's degree in journalism from Boston University.
After graduation he worked as a reporter for the Associated Press in Boston and New York City, and covered the 1996 presidential campaign for America Online.
He first came to Wyoming in 1997 to work as a ranch hand as research for a book. He worked on ranches in the Casper and Gillette areas for two years before moving to Cheyenne, where he worked as the editor of the Wyoming Catholic Register and public information officer for the Wyoming Department of Health.
At various times in his life he taught English in Tokyo, was a sailing instructor in Guam, and lived in New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver and Boulder. He's gone far too soon, but he packed a lot of living into the time he had.
Ross was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Catherine Doman. He is survived by his sister Daphne and her husband Jeff Crossman of Milwaukee, nieces Catherine and Christina, and nephew Robert.
A celebration of his life is being planned for Laramie, and the date will be announced when the details are finalized.
Those interested in making a memorial donation in his name are asked to consider the Brain and Vision Fund at the University of Colorado.