Ralph Roberts

Roberts, Ralph "Stub" Marden age 96, of Richfield, passed away on April 29, 2016. Ralph was born January 19, 1920, to Abby Beecher Longyear Roberts and Alton True Roberts in their home at 320 Cedar Street, Marquette, weighing 13 pounds. As a short, stocky baby, he was nicknamed "Stub" a name he was known by his entire life, even as he grew to a height of 6'6". As a young man, he attended Rectory School, Pomfret, CT and graduated from Montezuma Mountain School, Los Gatos, CA. After graduation, Ralph attended USC and Washington State Universities. His education was interrupted by WWII when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 where he served on one of the earliest B-29 crews as a flight officer. Stationed in the China Burma India Theater of the war, he flew 16 bombing missions encompassing Manchuria, Formosa, Singapore, and Japan until late 1945. On two occasions, Ralph was forced to bailout over the Himalayas; and on one, he was rescued by the Chinese. When on leave, he returned to Marquette where he married his kindergarten sweetheart, Dorothy Jean Anderson. With children, Susan and Peter in tow, he settled the family in Minneapolis where his passion for aviation lead to a 42-year career with Wisconsin Central, North Central, Republic and Northwest Airlines. He and the Team were proud to bring the Convair and DC-9 additions to the fleet. He was so in love with the airlines, that upon retirement, he spent 10 years giving tours at NATCO. Summers took Ralph back to his roots in Marquette where he enjoyed the outdoors at the Middle Island cottage. He really impressed his children when he built a rowboat in the basement, launched it in Lake Superior, and actually saw it float. To this day, the boat is at the family home at Deertrack. He loved recording everything from mileage, fuel efficiency, height, weight, to baseball stats. In addition, he adored skippering the "Stubmarine," traveling, the family business, baseball, church, 58th Bomb Wing Reunions, and supporting the New England Air Museum. He was a proud member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. With his second wife, Estella, they traveled in the "Stubmobile" van to the 48 contiguous United States. In their 80s, they also ventured on a freighter to Longyearbyen, Norway to explore Stub's family roots. His sense of adventure followed him his entire life. "Stub," is preceded in death by wife, Dorothy Jean Anderson Roberts; brothers Horace, John, and Howard; and sister Mary. He was also preceded by his second wife, Estella C. Lund Roberts. He will be dearly missed by daughter Susan Abby (Charles) Littig; son Peter Marden (Ann Marie) Roberts. Grandchildren Katy Wilken, Annie and Ryan Marden Roberts; great grandsons Reece Roberts, Jacob Roberts, Samuel and Walter Bennett; great granddaughters Cally, Hannah, and Jenna Wilken. Further survived by step-daughters Annette (Harv) Holleman, Jeanne (David) Montgomery; step-son, Tim (Sylvia) Lund; grandchildren, Terry (Dawn) Meinhardt, Jodi (Lonnie) Pappas, Karen Flower, Julie Bateman, Brian (Amanda) Lund, and Heather Lund; son-in-law, Winston (Ann) Bateman; great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, Wisconsin Central/North Central/ Republic Airlines personnel, and many friends. A special thank you to the Fairview Home Care nurses who provided stellar care with sunshine personality, especially Patti Schilling.