Robert William Giroux

Born on August 27, 1945, in Troy, New York, to Euclid and Yvonne Giroux, Bob was the youngest of seven siblings. After high school, he voluntarily joined the Air Force, serving from 1964 to 1967. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base from December 1966 to December 1967, where he served as a jet engine mechanic. Upon his honorable discharge and return stateside, he moved to Greenwich Village, New York City, to pursue higher education, earning an associate degree in aeronautical engineering.

A man with an adventurous spirit, Bob and his childhood friend, Rich Lysogorski, drove from upstate New York to Anchorage, Alaska, in just three and a half days in 1970. Bob soon began a career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before accepting a civilian position at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Over the next 36 years, Bob built a distinguished career with the U.S. Air Force, rising to Head of Equipment Maintenance for the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron and overseeing the beddown of the F-22 Raptor before his retirement in 2006.

In the summer of 1971, Bob met the love of his life, Dawn Ellen (King) Giroux, and they married in August 1972. Together, they raised four sons: Brian, Bradley, Brandon, and Britton. A devoted father, Bob was frequently seen cheering on his sons at their sporting events. He was also a dedicated member of the Anchorage Baptist Temple and the Anchorage Christian Schools community.

Throughout their 42-year marriage, Bob and Dawn pursued many entrepreneurial ventures, including operating “The Sub Shop” on Muldoon Road in the 1970s, building and managing “Sprucewood Lodge,” an eight-room bed and breakfast on the Kenai River in Soldotna, and subdividing neighborhoods and constructing approximately ten homes in Anchorage. Bob often said, “No one believes your mother was nine months pregnant, standing on her toes holding up sheetrock while we built houses in the evenings.” His children have yet to locate anyone who doubts this story.

In retirement, Bob and Dawn split their time between Alaska, Keene, New York and Fort Myers, Florida. Following the sudden loss of Dawn in 2014, Bob traveled widely, maintaining his business interests, visiting his roots near Albany, NY and his cabin in Keene, New York, in the Adirondack Mountains. In 2020, he married Kathy Willson, whom he met at Parkway Baptist Church in Fort Myers.

Bob lived a life defined by adventure, calculated risks, and unwavering dedication to his family and work.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Euclid and Yvonne Giroux, his first wife, Dawn, as well as his six older siblings. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Willson of Fort Myers, FL; his sons, Brian (Jennifer) of Ashburn, VA, Bradley (Jessica) of Anchorage, AK, Brandon (Winter) of Anchorage, AK, and Britton (Taylor), of Ashburn, VA; as well as his 5 granddaughters and 8 grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s honor to the Disabled American Veterans to support veterans affected by Agent Orange poisoning. A celebration of life will be held on July 23rd at 10 a.m. at Mountain City Church.