In Memory
Robert Louis Metcalfe
Robert "Bob"Louis Metcalfe passed away from complications of COPD on April 3, 2016 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, AK. Born on February 28, 1937, and raised in South Bend, IN, he was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mildred (Sinn) Metcalfe.
He attended Howe Military Academy in Indiana, and graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend, Ind., in 1956.
Bob was happiest when planning or building something or working on a big project. In addition to his 27 year career in telephony, he enjoyed being self-employed and had a strong work ethic that he passed on to his children. Bob was a talented draftsman and worked for Bendix Aviation Corporation in South Bend from 1955 to 1958, making detailed drawings used in the manufacture of experimental hydraulic and electronic components for fuel metering on jet engines. When Bendix lost their contract, he worked briefly for Goshen Churn and Ladder Company loading long wooden ladders on semitrucks.
Concerned he would be drafted, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958. Following his station at Larson AFB in Moses Lake, WA, he was transferred to Elmendorf AFB in 1960, as a draftsman assigned to draw the initial telephone plant-in-place records, in conjunction with contractor Gustav-Hirsch.
After honorable discharge, he immediately went to work for Anchorage Telephone Utility (ATU) in May 1962, as a Student Plant Engineer I and created the first permanent telephone plant-in-place records from field data his team obtained for Anchorage. Within months he was supervising other draftsmen and by 1963, was preparing designs and specifications for outside telephone plant construction and modification. By 1967, as Plant Engineer, he was managing the design and construction for the growing Anchorage telephone system.
He retired after 27 years as Manager, Outside Plant Engineering. In 1963, Bob bought a lot on Long Island in Big Lake, AK to build his self-designed home out of pocket, hauling all building materials across a mile of water. His bachelor pad became a family home when he married Rita (Roney) Hunt, his next door neighbor, on March 23, 1967.
Bob and Rita formed Long Island Construction Company in 1970, and together they remodeled and renovated many homes and rental properties. Bob's skills in building, wiring and plumbing were perfectly complimented by Rita's interior design talents. In 1972, they started RLMWay, a successful Amway business, and became Emeralds in 1980. In 1975, Bob and Rita sold their Big Lake and Anchorage homes to build their self-designed dream home that remains the family gathering place today in East Anchorage.
Bob is survived by Rita, his wife of 49 years; son, Steven (Nickie) Hunt of Meridian, ID; and daughters, Debbie (Larry) Graham, Kelly (Frans) Droop and Shannon (Shawn) Fitzpatrick of Anchorage; sisters, Suzanne (Dennis) Smith and Judith (Kent) Props of Indiana. He has five grandchildren including: Clint (Jenn) Martin of Seattle, WA, Caitlin and Rylee Fitzpatrick and Paris and Gigi Droop of Anchorage; and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at the Petroleum Club of Anchorage in Anchorage, AK 99503.
Source: Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, AK) - Saturday, April 9, 2016.
02/18/2021 DEC
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