Paying tribute to a father whose converted bus became part of his family’s — and FMCA’s — story.
By Veronica Ross Mumm, F689D
September-October 2024
In 1962 my father, Allen Ross, purchased a used 1954 28-foot Wayne school bus body with a Chevy engine from a rural school district.
FMCA member Allen Ross, shown here in the 1980s, converted a 1954 school bus into a family adventure vehicle.
After welding, wiring, plumbing, and performing carpentry over the next year, he successfully converted the bus into a motor coach with six bunk beds; a dinette/double bed with storage under the seats; handmade upholstery and curtains; and a kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, range, and oven. He also installed a toilet and a closet in the rear on either side of the emergency exit.
A custom-built house door replaced the usual school bus door at the front, and Allen installed a copilot seat near the entry. Complete with screens for the windows and a fresh coat of turquoise and white paint, the bus was ready to go by June of 1964 on our family’s first trip: a five-week vacation to the East Coast and the World’s Fair in New York City.
In order to have an efficient early-morning departure for our trip, we were packed and sent to sleep in the bus; with us was Allen’s brother, Terry. Before nodding off, Terry said, “Wouldn’t it be funny if the bus didn’t start?” FYI: It wasn’t! After a few choice words and a jump start from our neighbor, we were on our way, using old-school navigation consisting of a Rand McNally road atlas, a compass, a Woodall’s trailer park and campground guide, and state and local maps from gas stations.
We had travelers checks and coins for tolls and phone booths. No charge cards, GPS, or cellphones.
The Ross family takes a break at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, after traveling there in their school bus conversion.
At one overnight stop, we had to get out and push-start the bus; we rolled it into a service station and made sure they had the needed part before turning off the engine. FYI: No travelers checks accepted! Fortunately, I had saved enough babysitting money to pay the bill until Dad could cash the next check and pay me back.
The adventures and fun we had are greatly treasured. The life lessons learned along the way are invaluable. The sites of natural, cultural, and historical significance are far too numerous to mention.
We not only saw the history of the past but also experienced history in the making. We learned that personal circumstances and choices may alter our pathways, but there are good people along the way.
During our visit to the New York World’s Fair, we stayed across the river at a trailer park in Bayonne, New Jersey, and there became acquainted with the FMCA organization. Upon our return home from the five-week trip, our application for FMCA membership was sent in, and we were issued member number F689.
The Ross family’s fourth generation of RVers enjoy camping with their grandparents, Veronica and Jim Mumm, F689D
Allen outlasted many RVs through the years and outlived two faithful copilots in life. His first wife of 30 years, Virginia A. Ross, passed in January 1981; his second wife of 32 years, Virginia B. Ross, died in February 2024. Allen’s daughter Victoria preceded him in death in June 2000. Allen himself died on April 24, 2024, in Marion, Iowa. He was 94.
Allen is survived by three children: Veronica (James) Mumm, Charles Ross, and Elisabeth Ross; one granddaughter; and three great-grandchildren. Hopefully, more of them will get the travel bug and apply for FMCA generational plates in the future.
In his final peaceful days at home in the loving care of his surviving children, he was yet in command and still driving the bus.
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