Kenneth Charles Roberts

Obituary Kenny (Robby) was born on the 28th of February 1933 to Reginald G. and Blanche V. Roberts at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma, WA; and passed away on the 21st of November 2018 at Madigan Army Medical Center, JBLM, WA. He is predeceased by his parents; his wife of 55 years Mary Louise (nee Cash); and his elder sister Lorraine (Nitray). He is survived by his younger sister Kathleen (Jerry Paulson); sons Stephen, Michael (Daphne'), Patrick, and Timothy; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Kenny grew up on Calvary Cemetery in Lakewood, WA. He attended Visitation Parish grade school and graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School (class of 1951). After graduation he joined the United States Air Force, serving his country in Mildenhall England (where he met his future wife Mary via mail correspondence). He completed tours in Korea, Okinawa, and Vietnam as well as McChord AFB, WA; Glasgow AFB, MT; and Mountain Home AFB, ID. Kenny honorably retired from Active Service in 1972, attaining the rank of Master Sargent. After retirement, Kenny worked for the ABC Fire Equipment Company; the General Electric Company, notably on the Trans-Alaska pipeline as a Field Engineer overseeing the mechanical insulation of every pump station from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez; as Field Engineer for ANCO Insulation, Inc. working to construct Waterford Unit III, LA; Millstone Unit II, CT; then for The Brower Company, Wright-Schuchart-Harbor Company, and his last job prior to full retirement with Atlas Insulation, Inc. Kenny was a dedicated volunteer for the Bellarmine Boosters; Order Sons of Italy in America Lodge #1175; AMVETS Post #1; The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA). Kenny notably worked with the McChord Air Museum in restoring the F86D, F104, F102, and F106 aircraft currently on display at Heritage Hill Airpark at McChord Field, JBLM. Please, remember Kenny if you should ever visit this Museum. Vigil Service and Rosary will be Thursday, November 29th at 7:00 PM at Gaffney Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 30th , 1:00 PM at Visitation Catholic Church followed by Rite of Final Committal with full Military Honors and interment at Calvary Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staff at MAMC Emergency, the entire floor 6/ Palliative Care staff, and the JBLM Chaplaincy for their exemplary, professional, and caring Service to Kenny. The final flag procession with staff at full attention was exceptionally moving. We shall never forget the sense of Duty and Honor you showed Kenny. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home