Wayne H. Gross, longtime TAPPI president and executive director, died on Saturday, 23 January 2016.

He was 69.

Mr. Gross retired in 2006 after serving the association for more than thirty years. He joined the TAPPI staff in 1974 and later served as Director of Meetings and Exhibits, Director of International Operations, and Executive Director of the Pulp Chemicals Association. He left TAPPI in 1995 to lead the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' International Gas Turbine Institute. He was named TAPPI's sixth Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer in 1996. Later, his title was changed to TAPPI President.

Services for Mr. Gross will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, 27 January 2016 at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory Macland Chapel in Powder Springs with Rev. Tommy Willingham officiating.

Mr. Gross is survived by his wife of 41 years, Georgia Dixon Gross; his daughter Jill Jernigan (Jeff) of Powder Springs, GA; three granddaughters, Jessica McCoy (Earl) of Omaha, NE, Jensine Adams (Zach) of Mount Pleasant, SC, Janna Jernigan of Powder Springs, GA; two great-granddaughters, Caroline and Claire McCoy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Mr. Gross to: APDA Georgia Chapter online at www.apdageorgia.org , P.O. Box 49416 Atlanta, GA 30359; or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation @MichaelJFox.org.