Robert Marvin

Robert Clair Marvin, 76, died unexpectedly Jan. 7, 2010, in Anchorage.

His family wrote that he has returned "to the arms of our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ."

A viewing will be 10-11:30 a.m., followed by a service at 11:30 a.m., Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3250 Strawberry Road. Military honors after the funeral service will be at Fort Richardson.

Bob was born Dec. 15, 1933, to Clair George and Angeline (Smith) Marvin in Long Beach, Calif. He grew up in Port Orchard, Wash., and developed an early love for airplanes. He asked his dad for an old junk airplane to rebuild rather than a car.

After his first marriage, he enlisted in the Navy for four years, including one year in Antarctica. He worked on aircraft. He worked various aircraft jobs in Washington during the 1960s, including testing with the Boeing 747.

In 1970, he moved to Alaska, where he met and married his wonderful bride of 36 years, Betty Joan (Brooks) Kingsford, in 1974. He worked on aircraft while self-employed until he hired on with the Alaska Air National Guard at Fort Richardson in 1975. He retired in 1996 after serving a total of 36 years in the military.

He and his wife lived for 13 years at their "Ranch" in the Yentna valley, where he built a comfortable home and airstrip. While he loved the peace and serenity of his homestead, he also enjoyed quality time spent with grandchildren while in town.

A member of the LDS church, Bob raised his children in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He sacrificed much for his children, never owning a new car and building two homes with his own hands. Bob enjoyed some time restoring and then driving a 1953 Buick across the U.S.

Waiting to join him in heaven are his wife, Betty Marvin; brother, James Marvin; sister, Donna (Marvin) Davis; children, LeEric Marvin, LuDean Marvin, Geraldine (Marvin) Barnes, Angie (Marvin) Gould, Jennifer (Marvin) Andersen, Melissa (Marvin) McGillis, Christopher Marvin and Rebecca (Marvin) Gebs; stepchildren, Mark Kingsford, Sheri (Kingsford) Skitt, Kimberly Kingsford and Chad Kingsford; 24 beloved grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clair George Marvin; mother, Angeline Ruby (Smith) Marvin; and his first wife, Della Rupe.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his widow, Betty Marvin, at Wells Fargo Bank, 510 L St., Suite 102, Anchorage 99501, 297-2523.

Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Homes, Kehl's Chapel, www.legacyalaska.com.