Robert Cather

Former Alaska resident Robert Donald Cather, 77, died Feb. 14, 2007, at Via Christy St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at McDonald-Roberts Funeral Home in Beloit, Kan. The Rev. Ken Parker from United Methodist Church in Beloit will officiate.
Don was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Morland, Kan., to Gilbert and Freeda (Moore) Cather. He graduated from Beloit High School in 1949. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War. He later earned a degree from Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee, where he met his wife, Mary Lynn House. They were married in 1958.
In 1969, Don moved his family to Anchorage, where he retired in 1992 as chief mechanical inspector for the State of Alaska. Don continued to live in Alaska until 2002, when he moved back to his childhood hometown.
While living in Alaska, Don was actively involved in youth sports. He devoted many hours to the Arctic Winter Games as a lifetime member, state of Alaska director and international board member. He continued his patronage of the Arctic Winter Games even after moving to Kansas.
Don discovered a love of traveling during his time with the Navy, and he continued to travel extensively after his retirement.
In 2002, Don returned to Beloit after completing the restoration of his grandparents' 1885 homestead. The Kansas State Historical Society now recognizes the homestead in the historic register.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lynn; son, Jack Allen; and two brothers, Joe and Max.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jeffery Dean and Debbie Lynn Cather; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry Joe and Jennifer Jean Cather of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; daughter and son-in-law, Jill Elaine and Robert Rogers of Anchorage; and two grandchildren, Derek and Rebecca.
Condolences may be sent via rdc_30@yahoo.com.