FAYETTEVILLE — Ross J. Pritchard,

age 95, of Fayetteville, Ark., died at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark., on July 8, 2020. He was born Sept. 3, 1924, in Paterson, N.J.

His wife, Louise Dean, and sons Michael Gregg Pritchard and Russell Calhoun Gregg preceded him in death.

He is survived by brother Edward Pritchard and wife Pat of Dothan, Ala.; daughters Irene Pritchard and husband Thomas Brown of Fayetteville, Ark., and Fereshteh Richard of Fayetteville, Ark.; sons Vol Pritchard, Mehran Pritchard of Fayetteville, Ark., and Ross Pritchard Jr. and wife Becky of Wellsville, Kan.; grandchildren Emily and Letty Pritchard-Brown, Matt and Jennifer Pritchard, Persia Phelps, Lafayette Richard, Irene M. Pritchard and Cora Rich; and seven greatgrand children.

Ross was a WWII Navy veteran. He received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Arkansas and lettered in football and track. He also received graduate and doctorial degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Ross started his academic career at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., where he established their Department of International Studies. During the ’60s, Ross served in successive positions as the Peace Corps representative in Turkey and as their regional director of the Far East.

Upon his return to the States in the early ’70s, Ross resumed his academic career as the president of Hood College in Frederick, Md. Through the ’80s Ross continued his leadership role in academia with successive tenures as the president of Arkansas State University and chancellor of Denver University. Looking back on his full, varied and eventful life Ross would muse he might have been equally contented being a fishing guide on the White River.

Memorial services will be scheduled for a future postCovid-19 date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be sent to the Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72767.

Arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville. To leave an online tribute, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.