Robert Arthur Husted, 85, of Chehalis, passed away at his home, Feb. 10, 2018. Bob was born Nov. 2, 1932, in Enid, Okla., to Oscar and Vera Husted.
As a young man, Bob joined the United States Army and served as an airplane mechanic during the Korean Conflict. He met Mary Tuttle of Nyssa, Ore., and the two married in 1952. The couple had two children.
In 1959, Bob took his young family to Anchorage, Alaska, where he continued to work as an airplane mechanic, both for the military and for private industry, until his retirement. He loved to work with his hands and was a gifted welder, mechanic and artist. Bob enjoyed sharing his skills with his son, grandson and anyone willing to learn.
He loved to travel and had a heart for global missions, especially the people of El Salvador. Bob was honored to help begin a trade school with one of their local churches and was humbled by it being named ‘Husted Tenica Escuela.’
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Robert Alvin Husted; sister, Leota Rasban; and his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Mary (Tuttle) Husted; sister, Mary Kay (English) Windham; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Michael Soukkala; granddaughter, Kristin (Soukkala) Sheppard; grandson, Lewis Ryan Soukkala; and three great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Sticklin Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life will be held at 12 p..m., Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, at Bethel Church of Chehalis.
Donations may be made to Bethel Church in memory of Bob Husted.
