Ross H. Bayard

Ross H. Bayard passed away on July 17, 2024. He was born March 22, 1935, in Connellsville, PA to Darragh H. Bayard and Mildred Ross Bayard.

Dr. Bayard graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1957 and earned his MA and PhD in history at the University of South Carolina. He also did graduate work at Johns Hopkins. He was a member of the Wofford College history department from 1961 to 2000, when he was named a professor emeritus of history. He was the history department chair from 1987-1991. 

 He was well-known for leading numerous travel interims, speaking to numerous civic club lunches, giving public presentations, and leading travel groups in the summers. In his career at Wofford, he taught a variety of courses, but was especially remembered for his ancient world, Russian history, and 20th century European history courses. In the 1960s and early 1970s, he was the faculty advisor to the student government. He received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan from Wofford in 1979. 

Surviving Ross are his sister, Mary Jane Bayard Cowden (Vance deceased), niece, Adriene Melcher (Erick), great nephews Connor V. Byers and Jack Melcher, and great niece Ally Melcher.

The memorial service will take place in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 393 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29302, on July 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The family requests memorials be made to a charity of your choice.

Floyds Greenlawn Chapel