Robert Vernon King

King, Robert Vernon Age 93, of Edina, MN and formerly Oro Valley, AZ, died on March 4, 2011. Beloved husband of 68 years of Margaret H. King and father of Stephen W. King (Linda) and Philip R. King of Colorado and Robin King Cooper (Mel Gray)of Minneapolis. Grandfather of 11 and great-grand- father of 12. Bob served in the USNR in the South Pacific during World War II and witnessed the Japanese surrender from the deck of his ship in Tokyo Bay. He operated his business, R.S. Hatch and Sons, a wholesale florist in Elmhurst, IL until he retired in 1980 and moved to San Diego, CA and then Tucson, AZ. All of his homes and yards benefitted from his exceptional green thumb and, most recently, he planted his daughter, Robin's, rain garden. A member of Medinah Country Club (Chicago) and Oro Valley Country Club (Tucson), he attributed his longevity to his conviction that time spent playing golf doesn't count against one's lifespan. Friends and family enjoyed his delightful sense of humor which remained intact to his passing at N.C. Little Hospice in Edina. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude Wright Styles, his brother, Howard King, and his brother-in-law, George Hatch. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Oro Valley United Church of Christ (AZ), N.C. Little Hospice (Edina, MN) or the Oro Valley Public Library (AZ). A celebration of life gathering will be held with family in Colorado next summer.