Obituary of Robert Henry Tufts

Robert Henry Tufts

 

Robert was the oldest child of Henry Clay Tufts and Bertha Lillian Tufts (née Craig.) Robert Henry Tufts was born at St. Therese's Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois, on November 6, 1941, at 7:58 a.m., 5 Lbs, 7 oz.

 

Bertha Lillian Tufts resided at; 2924 Gabriel Ave. Zion, Illinois, with her mother and sisters, while Henry Clay Tufts was in the war in Iceland. WWII.

 

Robert followed his father's footsteps as he entered the Vietnam War as an Airman First Class .  He lived two and a half years in Saigon and then worked two years at the Pentagon, before transferring to Hawaii, where he lived and worked for 15 years.

 

Robert is survived by his loving sister Shirley May Tufts, her son, Robert's beloved nephew, Henry Alan Voigt, and his loving and caring Partner, Kenton Aemmerson-Smith. The two of them met in 1985. They celebrated their last Anniversary on June 25, 2020. 35 years of great memories.

 

Robert loved his family members, he would cry every time he was on the phone with them or just thought about how far away everyone was from him. Robert was also very fond of many of Kenton's family members and many dear friends in the U.S. and a loving friend in Canada.

 

I would hesitate to start naming his friends as there are so many of them, and I know I would forget somebody, but I do know that Robert would want me to mention a few of his best friends.

 

Jill and Mark Nelson, in West Allis, Wisconsin, have been Robert's very dear friends since they first met Robert, in 1985. Robert and Jill were inseparable good friends, and Robert thought the world of her. Not to mention her sister Judy and her husband Greg Ellis, who currently resides in Vancouver, Washington, and their loving children, Andrew, Danielle Nelson, and especially little Eleanor and in Vancouver, Washington, Lindsay, Courtney, Nate, and beautiful little Lillian.

 

Robert would not be pleased if I did not mention his closest friend, who he thought the world of him. He would come down to Portland, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, every June. We got to spend a week together, enjoying each other's company. He would take Robert around to different events, to the opera, and the three of us would always have the best time. Each year we repeatedly took one evening to go to the Ringside Fish House on Park Avenue. We had a great selection of happy hour foods. We just had the best time mixing, matching, and tasting each other's meals. Sweet memories... especially the cinnamon donut that came from the server when he overheard us, mention Robert's birthday.

 

Robert wanted me to tell you, taylor, that he loved you very much, and he missed you terribly the last time you were here, and he was unable to be with you. You will always be his dear friend, our loving, sweet taylor stewart.

 

Robert mentioned one more loving person to me. Just before his passing, he talked about his dear friend from his many years in Hawaii, Gary Saito. Robert spoke about him often, and Robert genuinely appreciated his trips to Portland. Robert cried in the car as we drove away from the restaurant the last time they met in December 2019 as he knew he wouldn't see him again.

 

Thank you to the nursing staff that cared for him with so must grace. Robert was known as Turbo because he could move so fast in his wheelchair; I still think Robert thought he was on his bike as he used to run races all over the country. Robert rode his bike 50 -60 miles a day until he was 74 years old.

 

There are many stories to tell about Robert, as he was the funniest, most kind, and caring person one could find. I am incredibly grateful to Robert for spending 35 years of our lives having a fantastic time together.

No one like him will ever be found again—my sweet little Bug.

Robert (Bobby) Henry Tufts   11.06.1941 - 07.27.2020

 

I know he is still looking out for me.

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