Jeffrey Bross, professional engineer

Jeffrey Bross, 76, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague, departed this life unexpectedly Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, with family and friends by his side. Jeff was born Feb. 28, 1947, in Washington, D.C., to the late Earl and Genevieve Bross.

After growing up in Wilmington, he graduated from Dickinson High School and later from the University of Delaware in 1969. For those who knew Jeff well, it should come as little surprise that he was Troop 50’s very first Eagle Scout. Jeff was a dear friend and mentor to many, consistently a gentleman, perpetually in good spirits, and ever ready to assist those in need at a moment's notice.

Jeff was a professional engineer and dedicated his more than 50-year career to the civil engineering profession, which he loved. His early career began with Edward H. Richardson Associates in Newark. He later moved to Omaha, Neb., where he became the city engineer for the City of Omaha. From there, he returned to Delaware to join Duffield Associates in 1980, where he was a partner, then president in 1996, and later chairman of the board. Jeff continued to serve his clients and community as a senior consultant at Verdantas after Duffield Associates’ merger in 2021. Among Jeff's numerous achievements, he took great pride in being honored as Delaware's Engineer of the Year in 2006 by the Delaware Council of Engineering Societies. Additionally, he received the distinguished Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award in 2010 from the Water Resource Association of the Delaware River Basin.

Jeff was deeply devoted to both his profession and his community, demonstrated by his extensive involvement in a range of organizations and initiatives. He served with distinction as the appointed chair of the Delaware Clean Water Advisory Council and as a former president and board member of the Committee of 100. He further contributed as an appointed member to several impactful groups, including the Delaware Surface Water Management/Flood Abatement Task Force, the State of Delaware Workforce Development Board, the New Castle County Executive's Task Force on Redevelopment, the Livable Delaware Infill and Redevelopment Subcommittee, and the Delaware Redevelopment Authority.

His leadership was also evident in his roles as the former chairman of the Delaware EPSCoR State Committee, and as a past chair and member of the National American Council of Engineering Companies and the Associated General Contractors Construction Liaison Committee. Jeff also took great pride in imparting his knowledge to aspiring engineers as a former adjunct professor for the civil engineering senior design course at his alma mater, the University of Delaware.

In addition to his participation in various professional societies, Jeff served on the board of Faithful Friends Animal Society.

Above all, Jeff loved his family, and he spent much of his time splashing in the waves with his grandkids, creating carefully constructed sandcastles, teaching them about the importance of a good ice cream cone (his favorite flavor was black raspberry), and sharing his top-secret recipe for his very special barbecued ribs, while spending hours teaching his children how to make them. Jeff loved going for bike rides with his wife, taking their dog Dozer for long walks, and traveling to see his children wherever in the world they may be. He always made sure his family and friends knew how much they were loved.

In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth. Jeff leaves behind a loving family who will miss him dearly: his devoted wife Ann Hilkert; his beloved children Megan Olveren (Magnus), Stephanie Muscara (Anthony) and Brandon Hilkert (Elizabeth); and his treasured grandchildren Dominic, Sienna, Mia, Cruz, Noah and Lucas. Also mourning his loss are his brother Eric (Elizabeth); and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 24, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Road, Wilmington, where friends and family may visit beginning at 1 p.m. A celebration of Jeff’s life will follow at 3:30 p.m., at Hyatt Place Wilmington/Riverfront, 760 Justison St., Wilmington.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society in memory of his beloved and faithful golden retriever Dozer.

Visit Jeff’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.