OBITUARY: Horace White 'Buzz' Gross

Horace White “Buzz” Gross, 93, of Plymouth Harbor, died June 4.

Born Aug. 20, 1916, in Philadelphia, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and Finance. He developed aircraft radio direction-finding equipment during World War II at the Army Signal Corps Aircraft Radio Laboratory and performed in a similar capacity as a U.S. Navy officer.

Mr. Gross went on to found WFMZ, in Allentown, Pa., one of the first FM stations in the country, along with WFMZ-TV, one of the first ultra-high frequency stations. He later joined the consulting company of Howard S. Frazier Inc., in Washington, D.C., which later became Frazier Gross and Kadlec Inc. Mr. Gross became president and owner of the firm in 1970, and, under his direction, the company evolved into an industry leader in radio-and-television management consulting, serving more than 1,200 radio, television and cable clients throughout the country.

Mr. Gross retired in 1982 and became an independent consultant for the industry. He owned radio stations in Chestertown, Md., and West Chester, Pa. He was a member of the Broadcast Pioneers and served as a board member for the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.

Mr. Gross was a member of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. He had a love of boating and coastal cruising and was a member of Bird Key Yacht Club and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He volunteered at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Joe Berkley, Gross’ friend of more than 10 years and his neighbor at Plymouth Harbor, said that he will remember Gross for his love of life.

“He was a wonderful gentleman,” he said. “We’re (in our 90s), and yet he never got over his joy of living. Last year, he went hang-gliding.”

Mr. Gross is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Melissa Carel, of Chamblee, Ga.; son, Peter, of Bronxville, N.Y.; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at Plymouth Harbor, 700 John Ringling Blvd. Memorial contributions can be made to the Plymouth Harbor Endowment Fund, 700 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Fla., 34236, or the All Angels by the Sea Legacy Fund, 563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228.