Bob Vaughn

Bob Vaughn

Bob Vaughn, 68, died unexpectedly at his home Oct. 29, 2014 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was born Dec. 26, 1944, in Prescott, Kan., to Raymond and Mildred Vaughn. Growing up in southeast Kansas, he enjoyed riding horses, hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm.

He graduated from Prescott High School in 1962, then attended Fort Scott Community College, Emporia State University, and the University of Alaska. His areas of study were was biology and organic chemistry. He was awarded an all-expenses paid scholarship to study the growing habitat of moss in Point Barrow Alaska in the summer of 1970. He fell in love with Alaska that summer and returned to live in Fairbanks the following spring, where he called home.

He enjoyed the life of a bachelor living in his cabin out in the woods, reading and working on his books. His professional life was as varied as his interests. He fought forest fires in California in the 1960s and worked as a mechanic in his uncle's shop. In Fairbanks he worked tracking satellites for the European Space Agency and later Gilmore Creek. He was a commercial fisherman in Cordova. Worked for the Crisis Line, counseling people in crisis. In his later years he worked for Aramark as a tour bus driver in Denali National Park which gave him an opportunity to show off Alaska's wildlife. He volunteered at the literacy council, the native mission, and was active in the McGrath Baptist Church of Fairbanks. He enjoyed hiking on his days off with his younger coworkers. Getting up at 5 a.m. he would arrive at the Hamme pool in Fairbanks and swim a mile every day, gaining the nickname "Backstroke Bob" from his friends. With these same friends he often would enjoy playing practical jokes, talking about his work at Denali, his grandchildren, and what book he was working on at the time. He never knew a stranger, often spending hours visiting with friends, family and coworkers. He was an avid reader, history buff, and writer. He loved animals especially dogs, but cats found him particularly interesting.

He was married briefly to Mary Ann (Leamon) Childers. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Eugene, two great nephews Mathew Cubley, Levi Watt, and great niece Hailey Watt. He is survived by his brothers Glenn and his wife Jean Vaughn of Prescott, Kan.; Jimmy and Wanda Vaughn of Urich, Mo.; his sister Arlene and her husband Bob Seitz, of Chugiak, Alaska, several nieces and nephews; his daughter Michele Lyon and her husband Kevin, and his grandsons Daniel, Jarrett and Andrew of Fort Scott.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at Prescott United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Dec. 26, 2014.

A memorial service was held at the Independent Baptist Church in Anchorage on Nov. 9, 2014, with burial on Nov. 10, 2014 at His Servants Haven of Rest Cemetery on the grounds of the Independent Baptist Church Youth Camp in Palmer, Alaska. Services were conducted by the Pastor Stan Roach.