Ronald K. “Dusty” Roads, US Army Corps of Engineers (Ret.) passed away from a long illness at the age of 82 on April 30, 2021. Dusty is preceded in death by his parents, Kermit, and Miriam Lee nee Shank. He is survived by wife Patricia, his brother James (Bonnie) Roads, daughters Tammy Bushey, Lisa Richardson, Heidi Elliot, Ronnie Kae (Eric) Schneider, stepdaughters Aleasha (Craig) Daniels, Roxanna (Jim) Lewis, and stepson Richard (Taisha) Potts and many nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dusty was born October 9, 1938 in Dayton, OH. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1956.
After trying his hand as a mechanic, welder, and other interesting jobs, he enlisted in the Army. His first post was in Artillery Kaserne, Neckarsulm Germany with the 46th Artillery Group, 523rd Engineer Battalion. He was responsible for producing the liquid oxygen for Redstone mobile missiles located at the base.
Dusty quickly rose in rank and responsibility and in 1966 he was appointed to the Army Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School. After graduation from OCS as a 2nd Lieutenant he continued his education graduating with honors from the Corps of Engineers Advanced Training Course.
In July of 1967 Dusty was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam with the 35th Engineer Construction Group. During this time the COE was building a new concrete runway and taxiway for the Air Force’s 12th Tactical Fighter Wing’s Air Base and a dock for the U.S. Navy.
Dusty then was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he oversaw the revision of the Army’s Technical Manuals for calibration and maintenance of hand tools, and equipment for fabrication of munitions and ordinance.
Dusty’s last station for the Corps of Engineers was at Fort Douglas, Utah where he oversaw the training of Reserve Engineering Units in several western states including Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Dusty retired from the Army in 1978 with the rank of Major. His service medals from 20 years of service included:
Bronze Star Medal
(2) Good Conduct Medals
Army Commendation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars (each star designated a campaign during the war)
Vietnam Campaign Medal with 2 O/S Bars
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 2 palms (Unit)
Sharpshooter Badge w/Rifle Bar (M-14)
Expert Badge w/Rifle Bar (M-16)
After retirement, Dusty returned to Dayton where he worked for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Financial Advisors. In 1980 he purchased Dayton Bars and Counters. He built many custom millworks and custom cabinetry for numerous local businesses, residences, and numerous national clients around the United States. DB&C closed in 1989 and Dusty committed to building his dream house “up in the woods” in Miami Township.
Dusty used his Army Corp of Engineers experience with another project in Miami Township. He was instrumental in the creation of the Crains Run Water Board. He helped procure the grants to build Crains Run water tower and oversaw installation of the water supply pipe infrastructure. He served as President of the Water Board for many years. Dusty spent many-a-nights tracking down system emergencies. Whether it was system freeze emergencies, system chlorination adjusting, pipe leaks, or cars hitting fire hydrants he was always there to help.
Dusty had two favorite hobbies. Building things and blowing things up. He enjoyed building custom furniture from trees cut down from his property including an Elm staircase and railing for his home. With his knowledge of demolitions from the Army and the help of pyrotechnic guilds, he created custom aerial fireworks for 4th of July celebrations to the delight of his family, friends, and neighbors.
In lieu of flowers:
In memory of Dusty, a lifelong builder and lover of homes, please consider making a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.
You can make a dedicated donation, including an acknowledgement to the family, via the Gift From The Heart website here: https://www.habitat.org/donate/?link=628
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
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