Interurban co-founder dies at 72
Robert Ross, cofounder of the Interurban Restaurant and the Urban Management Incorporated restaurant group, died on Tuesday. Ross, a father of six, died after a long battle with cancer. He was 72.
Known as “The Rosser” thanks to longrunning radio ads with Dean Blevins, he and career- long partner Rusty Loeffler launched the first Interurban concept in 1976. They first met in second grade.
“We went to Sunday school together at Crown Heights Christian Church,” Loeffler said. “But we really became friends waiting tables together at Steak and Ale in 1969.”
Seven years later, they partnered with Rusty's father, Frank Loeffler, to turn Norman's old Interurban line terminal into the Interurban Eating House. That launched a management company that's developed numerous concepts across Oklahoma and into Texas in the four- plus decades that followed.
“Robert Ross was one of the best restaurateurs in Oklahoma,” Jim Hopper, chief operating officer for the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, said Wednesday.
“He and his partner, Rusty Loeffler, built the Interurban brand into several different concepts that enjoyed great success through the years. He was a faithful member of the ORA for over 39 years, serving as chairman of the board in 1990. Our hearts are broken once again with the passing of our friend and colleague.”
The original Interurban at 105 W Main Street faced bedlam with a capital “B” the day it opened. Massive Sooner fans, Rosser and Rusty opened the day Oklahoma State's Cowboys famously won in Norman.
The Interurban remains popular across the state and currently flies over concepts like Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co., Packard's New American Kitchen and brand- new Terminal Commons in the Wheeler District.
Bellini's Ristorante owner Tommy Byrd said his career was founded at Rosser's feet in 1983.
“I literally learned everything I know about the restaurant business from Robert and Rusty,” Byrd said. “Robert was such a great example of integrity, loyalty, honesty, love of family and Jesus Christ, that you just wanted to be like him. Robert is simply one of the finest men I have ever known, and I will always thank him for the positive impact he had on my life.”
Loeffler said Rosser was a friend and a brother, but also “a mentor and counselor who wore so many hats in my life.”
Rosser is survived by brother Ted Ross, his wife, Nancy, son John, and daughters Abigail, Margaret, Madeline, Elizabeth and Allison. A private family service will be recorded at Antioch Norman on Jan. 22 and made available to the public online. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Rosser's behalf to Hearts for Hearing and to “eat out often during this difficult time for the restaurant community.”