Ross Barton Krantz

Ross Barton Krantz, 83, died Monday, October 30, 2017. He entered this world on November 17, 1933 in Oceanside, NY, born to Hubert Kolle Krantz and Sylvia Ross Howard, and was preceded in death by his sister, Dennise Severin Mendell; and wife of 44 years, Gail Ann Butler.

He leaves his daughter, Valerie Howard Krantz-Burge; daughter, Stefanie Lee Krantz; son, Dale Hawkins Krantz; daughter, Kimberly Ann Grommes; son-in-law, John Burge, son-in-law, David Benjamin Moen; daughter-in-law, Shauna Krantz; son-in-law, Matthew Grommes; granddaughter, Breauna Hampton; granddaughter, Allison Patricia Krantz Grommes; grandson, Samuel Pearce Krantz Grommes; granddaughter, Violet Anne Burge; grandson, Elias River Benjamin Moen; brother-in-law, Nicholas Mendell; nephew, Russell Mendell; and many close friends.

After graduating from Kent School in Kent, CT, Ross served in the Air Force from 1953 - 1957. He then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Journalism, and met his wife at the Missouri Theatre there. They were married in Warrenton, MO, in 1963.

It was in Columbia where Ross was first introduced to the magic of film projection and sound. Ross had a passion and curiosity for all things mechanical and found inspiration in trunks full of parts, pieces, and gadgets. He took those skills with him through his work with RCA in Chicago, IL, and later in Sandia Park, NM, where he started his own company, Cinema Engineering Services. He was a proud member of the IATSE 423 union. He serviced movie theaters and show venues across the west from Texas to South Dakota.

Ross was an integral part of the Telluride Film Festival from 1977 to 2016 where he helped create the Abel Gance Cinema and projection equipment to show Napoleon as it was meant to be seen. He also worked for the MountainFilm Festival from 1983 to 2016. Ross considered Telluride, CO, his favorite town where he worked a total of 73 film festivals. He also enjoyed working for other festivals in the US.

Ross enjoyed sharing the stories of his life with others and was an incredible storyteller. He was born during the Great Depression, was in Times Square on VE Day, and witnessed the Chicago Riots. Ross was a loving and supportive husband, father, mentor, and friend to many. He will be dearly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, November 10, 2017, 3:30 p.m., at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Memorial contributions may be made to the Telluride Film Festival, 800 Jones St., Berkeley, CA 94710, tffshop.myshopify.com/pages/donations; or the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe, NM, www.ccasantafe.org/donate.