Robert Ricketts

Robert Franklin Ricketts, 88 passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 11:48 A.M. in West Valley Hospital in West Hills, CA. He had been a cancer victim for four years and received treatment in U.C.L.A., Porter Ranch and Northridge Hospitals in Los Angeles Co., California. Robert was the son of Walter Edward "Eddie" and Lela Blanche Fairchild Ricketts. He was born on May 7, 1927 in Henning, Vermillion Co., Illinois. He received his early education in the Henning Grade and High schools. He was the high school valedictorian in 1945. After finishing high school, he was inducted into the U.S. Navy Center Great Lakes, Illinois and remained there until he was honorably discharged on July 26, 1946. His rating was a Technicians Mate US N-I. He loved his country and was happy he cou7ld give service to the navy. In 1947 he entered Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana and graduated with honors from that institute with a degree in electrical engineering. During his years at Rose-Hulman he was active in many organizations and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. On May 13, 1951 he married his lifelong love, Barbara Lou Woodrum at the Henning Methodist Church, she survives. She is the daughter of Russell Lee and Rosella Kidwell Woodrum. Also surviving his sister Lela Mae Ricketts Fowler of State Line, Indiana, one niece Sharon Walch and two nephews Eugene and Bradley Fowler and their families. Roberts first working position was with the General Electric Company. He soon became a salesman because he liked to sell. He continued to be a salesman in other companies for the rest of his working career. General Electric involved living in many locations; Weedsport, N.Y., Waukegan, Illinois, North Hollywood, C.A., a brief stop at Patuxent River, Maryland and Key West, Florida, and then Utica, N.Y. He then worked for Radiation, Inc. at Melbourne, Florida before joining Bell Aerosystems in Buffalo, New York, While he lived in Lewiston, N.Y. Then he relocated to Boxford, Mass. His last home was in Granada Hills, CA. Robert was in many positions and activities while living in California. He became involved in civil work in his area and earthquake preparedness. While living in Florida in 1963 he joined the U.S. Sailing and Power Squadrons and moved through the chain to become the Commander of District 13. He had enjoyed that position and the opportunity to serve in the squadron. He loved his sailboat whom his wife had named "Sky Lark". Robert and Barbara had enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage. He will be buried in the Garden of the Apostles in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery on April 2016. Barbara's parents are already there with a space left for her next to Robert and her father at the time of her death. Robert was a good and loving husband and person. He left this warning for others, never ignore any spot or numbness on your face or neck. It could be cancer that spreads through the body very quickly.