- Date Of Birth: January 25, 1934
- Date Of Death: March 31, 2019
- Spouse: Martha (Martie) Gustafson
- Resting Place: Palmer
- City: Johnstown
- State: New York
His last words were, “Im dying for a Coke.” Vincent Rozkydal, 85, of Palmer, Alaska, died on the 31st of March.
He was born January 25, 1934, in Johnstown, NY, to Vincent F. and Hazel Hayward Rozkydal. He served in the USCG from 1955 to his retirement in 1975. He was stationed in Louisiana, Texas, Michigan, Maine, New Jersey, and (for mouthing off to his superiors) got to spend his last year in the USCG at the isolated Loran Station at Port Clarence, Alaska. He always said he wanted his retirement to be at least twice as long as his service. After the USCG, he worked at the Pioneer Home in Palmer, the family diaper service (Bear Buns), on Elmendorf AFB at the food court, and JBER at the Commissary, finally retiring in 2010. He met his wife Martha (Martie) Gustafson in Ketchikan and they were married there in 1958, when Alaska was still a territory. Her family recalls the day Rosco walked into their lives he became their brother, and how completely he fit in. He was a delightful presence in many lives and will be missed but not soon forgotten. If you knew him you might have called him Vince, Vinny or Rosco.
You might also have known he was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, thought Stan Musial was the best baseball player of all time; Joe Louis the greatest boxer, and happy that the Lakers have acquired LeBron James. His favorite drink was Coca Cola, and his collection of Coke memorabilia dominated the home dcor. You might have seen him driving his red convertible Cadillac in Palmer parades, wearing short shorts and Sorel boots to mow the lawn, rooting for the Mat-Su Miners, or sporting his blue hair with his matching glasses and crocs. He often shared too much (in church or anywhere), and loved showing many, many pictures of his family to anyone who showed interest. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Donald and sister-in-law Rita Campbell.
He is survived by Martie, his wife of 60 years, children Mary Quinn Rozkydal (Dan) of Colorado, Jim “Rocky” of Palmer, Anne Stelck (Larry) of England, Jody Rozkydal (Noel) of Palmer, Meg Nesslage (Jason) of Palmer, and Emmy Rozkydal of Palmer; his siblings-in-law Kris, Karin and Jim (Gus) Gustafson; over twenty grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Thank you to Ancora nurses and attendant (Jennie) who not only made Vince comfortable but provided much needed encouragement to his family. Special thank you also to his daughter Meg, who as a Hospice nurse herself, provided continuous loving care and advice.
