Alden Roy "Shorty" Wilbur

1947 - 2025

Alden Roy Wilbur, Roy (Shorty), was born April 3, 1947, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Alden Lytton Wilbur, Jr. and Mariel Jean Matsen. Roy passed away Nov. 21, 2025, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital at the age of 78.
Roy's school years in Fairbanks included Denali Elementary as a kindergarten student the first year Denali operated and then went onto Old Main Jr. High School and graduated from Austin E. Lathrop High School in 1965. Roy spent some time at the University of Alaska Fairbanks until he decided to join the four-year Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program in Seattle, Washington. Roy's father had attended the same school many years earlier.
Roy was honorably discharged after serving in the U. S. Army from May 1971 to January 1972. He was also a member of the Army Honor Guard, and only soldiers with exceptional service records are considered for this honor, they are held to a high degree of professionalism, discipline, and conduct standards. Roy also received the National Defense Service Medal and was an expert in the use of the M-16 rifle.
Roy met his wife, Brenda Gappert, in 1975 while she was traveling through Fairbanks to visit her cousins of which one of them was Roy's trapping partner. They married July 1, 1977, and raised two sons, Alden Richard Wilbur (Rick), born in 1979, and Cory Matthew Wilbur, born in 1981, with all the Alaskan outdoor advantages. Roy was a great father who shared his time with them, he especially liked watching their 'ball' games and more recently the grandchildren in the sports they play.
Roy loved being a sheet metal worker, which he proudly did for 55 years. He interviewed apprentices for many years and helped Boy Scouts with their Eagle Scout Projects. Roy also invited the Nenana High School students to come and spend the day with him learning how to build something and take it home with them, he did this for several years. Roy prided himself in giving something away at "The Shop" every day. Wilbur Brothers Sheet Metal shop is the oldest family-owned business in Fairbanks. It started in 1914 with his grandad and has had four generations of relatives who have worked in this industry.
Roy donated his time and skills in the fabrication of the copper cross, currently displayed on the exterior of this Holy Family Chapel. The "Back Room" at Wilbur Brothers Sheet Metal shop ("The Shop") was the meeting place for "The Old Engine Club" for many years. "The Shop" also hosted Roy's 55th birthday party for 20 years with musician Earl Hughes as the music man leading numerous different talented people singing and playing a variety of instruments and music. It was an event not to miss!
Roy loved Alaska and was an avid hunter, trapper, fisherman and would camp anywhere he saw a sandbar that looked enticing. The Alaska Trapper's Association (ATA) was founded in the Fall of 1973, and "Shorty," as the trappers called him, was there from the start of ATA. Roy was selected as the "Trapper of the Year" in 1992 with the engraved name of "Shorty Wilbur," and in 2011 he was inducted into the "Trappers Hall of Fame" with the engraved name of "A. Roy 'Shorty' Wilbur." Shorty served on the Board of Trappers from 1987 to 1998, and was vice-president in 1989, and had a life membership number of 33.
Roy was a past-president of the Pioneers of Alaska, Igloo #4, and a life member; a life member of ATA; and a life member of the NRA, he was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Words that have been used to describe Roy are: quiet, shy, kind, helpful, loyal, friend, one-of-a-kind, pretty special, most giving, sincere, accepting, non-judgmental, intelligent, inventive minded, genius, helpful, he meant a lot to me, a calming serenity while holding a child, a gentle soul, love of family, and you are going to miss your sidekick!
He leaves behind his loving wife of 48 years, Brenda; sons, Rick (Rebecca) and Cory (Aisha); grandchildren, Alden (2010), Liana (2013), Brody (2015), Carter (2016), Max (2018), and Eva (2018); sisters, Nancy Woods (Dave) and Jean Tsigonis (Bob); brothers-in-law, Duane Gappert (Marcella) and Dwight Gappert (Amy); five nieces and six nephews and their 42 children; numerous cousins, relatives, and friends.
Condolences can be sent to Brenda Wilbur, 1045 Gilmore Street, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99701.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating in Roy's name to: Alaska Trappers Association, P O. Box 82177, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708; or
Fairbanks Senior Center (Meals on Wheels), 1424 Moore Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701; or
Immaculate Conception Church, (Soup Kitchen), 2 Doyon Place, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99701.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2025, at the Holy Family Chapel, 615 Monroe Street, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Cremation arrangements were made by Blanchard Family Funeral Home, 611 Noble Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701.