Ross Flower Greer
Oct. 15, 1914-June 20, 1933
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 20, 1933, page 1, col. 7-8, cont. page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Ross Greer Killed
in 30 Foot Fall at
French Residence
Popular Niles Youth Dies an Hour Later After
Accident; Held Scholarship to Michigan
Mine College and Was Eagle Scout
Ross Flower Greer, 18, who was graduated June 8 from the Niles high school with academic honors that gave him the Michigan College of Mines scholarship, was fatally injured this morning in a fall of 30 feet from the roof of a house where he was adjusting a radio antenna. He died an hour later.
Young Greer, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Flower, 513 Broadway, fell from the roof of the Frank French home next door, 519 Broadway, at 10 o'clock. While walking, shod with tennis shoes, along the roof peak, young Greer lost his footing and rolled down the steep roof, plunging 30 feet, from the eaves to the concrete driveway. His body struck a bicycle that was leaning against the house beside the driveway.
KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS
The only eye witness was Eddie French, aged 9, who was watching Greer's efforts to eliminate the interference and static from the French family's radio reception caused by Greer's operation of an amateur broadcasting set. The French boy gave the alarm when he found Greer was unconscious after falling upon the driveway.
The youth was carried into his own home. Dr. R.B. Henderson was summoned. He was unable to restore the youth to consciousness before he died. Young Greer was found to have a skull fracture and internal injuries. The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home.
Death of young Greer came as a distinct shock to a large circle of his friends. He was one of the most popular students in the high school, both with his fellow students and with the faculty. He was held in high esteem for personal qualities, for brilliant academic work, and also for civic propensities. He received the highest academic rating awarded to any male member of the '33 class of 135 members. It was his academic rating, coupled with character, that won for him the Michigan College of Mines award. He was preparing to go to Houghton next fall to take up the four-year scholarship work.
WAS EAGLE SCOUT
In connection with is civic activities, young Greer was for years an ardent member of Boy Scouts and was an Eagle Scout at the time of his death. He also was crucifer in Trinity Episcopal church, of which he was an active member since passing through the Sunday school.
Young Greer was an ardent amateur radio fan. He had delved in radio lore and was looked upon as somewhat of an authority on amateur station equipment. For some time the French family's radio set had been showing poor reception when young Greer was experimenting with his broadcasting set. He believed adjustment of the antenna would eliminate the trouble and volunteered to make the adjustment.
Using a short ladder, the only one available, young Greer climbed first to the sleeping porch and then upon the Main roof of the French residence. He had gone only a sort distance when he lost his footing and fell to his death.
Born in Los Angeles, Calif., Oct. 15, 1914, Ross was adopted about 10 years ago by his uncle and aunt. He was a nephew of Mr. Flower, who is vice-president and cashier of the State Bank of Niles and now also assistant conservator. He was about nine years of age when he was brought to Niles. He started attending school in Niles while still in the low primary graden.[sic]
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
A picnic with the Trinity Episcopal parish and Sunday school had planned for Wednesday at West Shore resort, Barron lake, was postponed in respect to the death of young Greer, the Rev. Harry Nicholson, pastor, announced today.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 21, 1933, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
GREER FUNERAL SET FOR 2:30 THURSDAY
The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson
to Officiate at Rites of
Fall Victim
Funeral services for Ross Flower Greer, 18, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Flower, 513 Broadway, who was fatally injured Tuesday morning when he fell from the roof of a neighbor's house while adjusting a radio antenna, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Trinity Episcopal church.
The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of the church will officiate. Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook cemetery.
The following have been selected as pallbearers: Arden Rusisill, Theodore Patterson, Richard Morris, Jr., Thomas Cain Jr., Ray Krueger, and Kenneth Geideman, all young friends of the deceased.
The body will be taken from the home of Mr.and Mrs. Flower at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon to the church, where it will lie in state until 2:30 o'clock.
Members of the class of 1933 of the Niles high school of which Ross was an honor student are requested to meet at the Community house at 2 o'clock to attend the services in a body.
Niles Boy Scouts are requested to meet at the church at 2:15 and attend the services in a body.
The possibility that the youth may have been affected by the heat and became dizzy is considered as a reason for his fall. However, the roof is built at a pitch which would prevent anyone who started to slip from saving himself. He fell to the cement driveway between the Flower home and that of Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. French on whose radio antenna he was working. He had been testing the radio in the French home for several days to remove interference.
Eddie French, son of Mr. and Mrs. French was watching Ross and witnessed the fall. He ran into the house and called his mother. Mrs. Flower heard the crash and rushed to the youth, while Mrs. French called Mr. Flower at the State bank of which he is vice president and cashier. Mr. Flower called Dr. Henderson and rode with him to the house and carried the youth from the driveway into the house. He was unconscious when Mrs. Flower reached him and died an hour later without regaining consciousness.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 22, 1933, page 1, col. 7, cont. page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Ross Flower Greer
Funeral Rites Held
Attired in the white alb which he used in his service as crucifer in Trinity Episcopal church, and with a cross in his hand, Ross Flower Greer, 19, foster son of Mr.and Mrs. George E. Flower, 513 Broadway, who was fatally injured Tuesday morning in a fall from the roof of a house, was laid to rest this afternoon in the mausoleum in Silverbrook cemetery.
Ross was proud to serve the church as crucifer, consequently the church garments were considered fitting at the rites in the church for him.
The Rev. harry L. Nicholson, rector of the church, conducted the services. He included a brief sermon with the ritualistic service. Miss Lena Lardner was at the organ. Young friends of the deceased were pallbearers.
Boy Scouts of the city, in which organization he had attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and Scout masters attended the services in a body. Members of the class of 1933 of the Niles high school comprised another group which attended the services.
Boy Scouts, school friends and others, in large numbers passed before the casket to view the body as it lay in state in the church for an hour before the funeral services.
The State Bank of Niles of which Mr. Flower is vice-president and cashier was closed at 2:15 o'clock today as a marked[sic] of respect and sympathy.