Dr. Ross Edward Duff, 78, died on March 18, 2026, at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. He lived at home with his wife of 55 years (married June 6, 1970), Shirley (Koch) Duff, up until the time of his death.
Ross was born in Springfield, Missouri on April 7, 1947, to Raymond and Nelle (Smith) Duff and had one brother, Hal Roger Duff, who preceded him in death.
He attended school in Houston, Missouri, except for his junior year, when he attended Parkview High School in Springfield, Missouri. After high school, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for one year. He then attended St. Louis Christian College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Bible. Following this, he returned to the University of Missouri and received a bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies, a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and a doctorate in Medicine.
He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Prior to medical school, he was a campus minister at the Christian Campus House in Columbia, Missouri. Following medical school, he worked as an obstetrician for 33 years, primarily at Boone Hospital, where he also served as a trustee. He later worked as an urgent care physician. He was the medical director of a plasma donation center until the week prior to death. He was also a missionary doctor in Haiti, Uganda, Eastern Europe, Africa and South America. He made 25 trips to Haiti and established a birthing center at Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. He delivered over 4,500 babies and over 12,000 babies when including collaboration with nurse midwives.
Ross and Shirley raised two children in Columbia, Missouri. Surviving children are Kristin Steelman (Jim) of Columbia and Deiter Duff (Amee) of Ozark, Missouri. There are four grandchildren, Ross Steelman, Madison (Duff) Laws, Morgan Duff and Max Duff, and one great grandson, who also survive.
Forum Christian Church was his home church. He served at other Christian churches over the years, including his senior year of high school in Houston, when he was the preacher for Oak Hill Christian Church.
There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. April 11, 2026, at Forum Christian Church in Columbia. A private family burial will be in the White Rock Cemetery in Bucyrus.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Forum Christian Church, 3900 Forum Blvd., Columbia, Missouri 65203, Oak Hill Christian Church, 6902 Douglas Road, Houston, Missouri 65483, or Christian Campus House, 704 South College Ave., Columbia, Missouri 65201.
Services are under the care of Memorial Funeral Home.