Robert Kenneth Thurman

Robert Kenneth Thurman 100, retired military Commander USN, born in Cashmere, Washington, July 9, 1914. Robert is preceded in death by his first wife, Vera Marotta and sons, Frank J. and Robert Leroy, he is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Mary; stepchildren, Mark (Ale), Julie, Bill, Mike (Cindy) and Robert Leroy's wife, Jayne and ten grandchildren. The Lord welcomed a great man into heaven on January 5, 2015. Robert had a long career with the United States Navy and other Salvage companies: Second Mate Merchant Marine 1935-41; Salvage Officer 1941; Commander USN 1941-63 he had command of USS ATR46, USS Tawasa, USS Grapple, USS EPCER 857, USS Safeguard, USS Minder, USS Windless; Atlantic Fleet Salvage Officer 1952-54; Commander Salvage Diving School in Bayonne NJ 1954-57; Mooring Officer, Project Hard Tack 1957-60; Operational Boss Antarctic Operation 1960-63; Operations Manager, Merret Chapman and Scott Marine Salvage Co., NYC 1963-95. The United States Navy and the National Science Foundation were so appreciative of his work they named a mountain after him. Mount Thurman (84 degrees 52'S) 170 degrees 51'W Coordinates: 84 degrees 42'S 170 degrees 51'W) is the highest summit (780 m) in Bravo Hills along the edge of Ross Ice Shelf, located between the mouths of Gough and Le Couteur Glaciers. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Commander Robert K. Thurman, U.S. Navy, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, 1963. Robert was a very proud Master Mason with the Washington Riverside Lodge #112 (1926-2015), Aaron Lodge 49 (2002-2015); Sabbar Shriners (noble 2003-2015). As avid Airstream enthusiasts, Robert and Mary traveled from the Panama Canal to the Arctic Circle as members of Wally Byam Caravan Club International until 2007. Robert loved amateur radio, and although W7HLD's key is silent now, his legacy will live on forever in our hearts.