Ross Lee Saltsgaver, 74, passed away peacefully on February 9th, 2026 at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV, with his loving family by his side. After a courageous battle with complications from Parkinson’s disease, Ross is now at rest.
Ross was born on January 1st, 1952 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, to the late Lettie Potts Bowe and Ross A. Saltsgaver. He was also preceded in death by his brother Rocky Saltsgaver. Ross is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Barbara Saltsgaver, and his brother, Richard Saltsgaver, and sister Peggy Hammond. He was a devoted father to three sons: Scott (Theresa) of Apex, NC, Christopher of Fayetteville, NC, and Philip (Corrie) Saltsgaver of Charleston, WV. He was a grandfather to Nicholas, Daniel, Alexander, Eric, Tyler, and Brooke; and great-grandfather to seven great-grandchildren.
An avid golfer, Ross was most at home on the greens. A highlight of his time on the course was May 3, 2010, when he hit a hole-in-one on the 6th hole at Shawnee Golf Course. He spent countless hours at the nine-hole course in Institute, WV, where he and his sons would often play multiple rounds in a single day. He was a familiar face at the fairways of Coonskin, Little Creek, and Big Bend, and he deeply cherished his annual “guy’s weekend” golf trips to North Carolina. For Ross, golf was more than a hobby; it was a way to connect with those he loved.
Ross worked various jobs throughout his life, working as a gas station attendant, roughneck, dwarf (coal miner) and finally as a plant operator. He spent 12 years working as a coal miner in the southern hills of WV as a member of the UMWA. In 1989 Ross transitioned to working for Liquid Carbonic as a plant operator. Ross spent 27 years as a member of a small team at Liquid Carbonic/Praxair, until his retirement in 2016, but his heart always longed to be back underground digging up 300 million year old plants.
Ross will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his passion for the game of golf, and the steady, humble presence that made him who he was. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held at this time and a private celebration of life will be held by his family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice Care of Charleston, West Virginia, in appreciation of the compassionate care and support they provided, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, to support research and assistance for those living with the disease Ross fought so bravely.
