Robert Okamoto

Kasilof resident Robert S. Okamoto, 80, died Nov. 8, 2008, at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn., after a short and courageous battle with leukemia. His family was by his side.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, 9711 Kenai Spur Highway, in Kenai. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends. A private memorial service was held Nov. 10 at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester.
Robert was born June 6, 1928, in Hanna, Wyo., and graduated as an Honor Scholar from Hanna High School. He then graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in electrical engineering.
Robert was proud of his adoption into the Haida Raven Clan by Chief Allen Wilson of Haida, Massett, British Columbia, Canada, and his Indian name "Qwai T." After his adoption, he was married in a Haida Indian ceremony to Carole Johns, Haida of the Eagle, Frog, Sculpin, on July 31, 1993, in Ketchikan.
Bob was a great American, his family wrote, serving this country in the Air Force and in the reserves, resigning as a captain. He supported Air Force classified space and missile programs for most of his career. Bob worked at Garrett Radio in Laramie, Wyo.; Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, Calif.; Boeing in Seattle; and TRW in Inglewood, Calif. He excelled in the challenging areas of telemetry and electronic systems. Bob worked on highly classified projects at TRW and Boeing. He worked on large spacecraft and assisted in development of the Thor and Minuteman Ballistic Missile Program. "He was a true rocket scientist," his family wrote.
"He also was a truly great fisherman and undoubtedly one of the best steelhead fishermen in his days in Washington state. He moved to Alaska in 1993 after marrying his wife and immediately dove into the outdoor life of fishing, hunting, volunteering at the Tustumena sled dog races and shoveling snow. His winning smile and style of catching silver salmon will be missed at Eagle Rock on the Kenai River. He loved camping, berry picking, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, making fishing poles, working on cars and anything challenging."
Bob was a member of the Air Force Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Republican National Committee, American Legion and Moose Lodge 1942. He achieved the distinction of being selected to the Independent Research and Development Roll of Honor in recognition of outstanding work in planning and reporting on Standard Spacecraft Electronic Modules as reflected by the high grade awarded by government evaluators. "Such performance is of direct benefit to TRW and helps keep the company in the forefront of advanced technology," according to a plaque issued by David Golden, who was TRW vice president at the time.
His friends wrote: "Bob was a humble person and though he seldom spoke of his past accomplishment, you always felt his deep intelligence and wisdom. He was humble and gracious. It took some doing to find out much about his accomplishments. A brilliant man disguised as a quiet laid-back cowboy."
"His greatest love was his family." His wife wrote: "He was loving, he was caring, he was brave, and he was the best of the best and so much more."
His children wrote that he was a great father and provided extremely well for all he loved. He is missed beyond words, they added.
Survivors include his wife, Carole; two sons, Stephan (Carol) of Hemet, Calif., and Darrell of Redondo Beach, Calif.; three daughters, Cynthia (Dr. James) Martenson of Rochester, Patricia (Pedro) Caballero of Camarillo, Calif., and Marjorie (Michael) Lum of Lynnwood, Wash.; seven grandchildren; stepson, Ryan Wiegel of Somes Bar, Calif.; brother, Herbert (May) of Henderson, Nev.; and two sisters, Midori (Sam) Nagasawa of Scottsbluff, Neb., and Harriett Okamoto of Denver.
He was preceded in death by a son; two sisters; and a stepgrandson.
Contributions may be made to the Mayo Foundation, Department of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, to support programs in cancer research and education; or contact Carole at (907) 262-1997.