Obituary: Roy was born on December 23, 1926, at home on his parents’ dairy farm near Abbotsford, Wisconsin. In November 1944, while still in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Because Roy had operated an electric milking machine on the family farm, the Navy declared: “We will make you an electrician.” Roy served on 11 ships, mostly in the Pacific, and in Harbor Defense Units in San Francisco and Port Townsend. Roy loved being in the Navy. He served for 22 years and retired as a Master Chief Electrician’s Mate (E-9). After retiring from the Navy, Roy worked at the Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill in Port Townsend for a year. In 1966 he was hired as an electrician at University of Washington Medical Center and Health Sciences and retired after 21 years as Operations Director. Roy was a skilled woodcarver and carved hundreds of birds, fish, and even tools with moving parts. In 2007 he was named Most Versatile Carver by the Quilceda Carvers Club. A few years later the club made him an Honored Lifetime Member. For many years he manned the Quilceda Carvers Club booth at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. He especially enjoyed talking to the kids who visited the booth and letting them hold and examine his carvings. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, LST Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Quilceda Carvers of Snohomish County, and Richmond Beach Congregational United Church of Christ. Roy died peacefully at home in Lynnwood on August 26, 2023, at age 96. He is survived by his wife Leona, the love of his life. They were married for 73 years. He is also survived by his 3 children: Penny Ridderbusch (Kathleen Croston) of Port Townsend, Lori Garvey (Frank) of Edmonds, and Russell of Lynnwood; 3 grandchildren: Christopher Garvey, Erin Garvey, and Renee Severson; and 4 great-grandchildren. Roy will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family suggests that donations in memory of Roy be made to: USS LST Ship Memorial, 610 NW Riverside Drive, Evansville, IN 47708 (LSTmemorial.org)

Funeral arragements: Services with military honors will be held at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, September 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Birth info: December 23, 1926, Abbotsford, Wisconsin

Death info: August 26, 2023, Lynnwood, WA

Photo: attached

Submitted by: Penny Ridderbusch

Phone: 2064094612

Email: pfridderbusch@gmail.com