Obituary Born in Chicago, on October 17, 1933, Robert was an Eagle Scout where his love for singing began. After a couple of years in college, he married Carroll and joined the Air Force where he became the Crew Chief on a C-123. In 1961, Robert was released from active duty with 3 medals and an outstanding unit award. Upon returning home, Robert packed up his family and moved out to Washington State and became a draftsman for Boeing. His family had grown to 7 children (Michael, Chris, Pam, Tim, Jody, Amy, and Aaron) and in 1990 Robert's wife passed away. In 1992 Robert was remarried to Susan, who was also born in Chicago and had three children (Richard, Sharon, and Robert) to add to the group which now has grown to 10 children, 26 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Robert had a love for church music most of his life. He loved to sing with his tambourine in hand. He played his harmonica and created new songs that were all about praising the Lord. Robert was very into God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He was loved by all who knew him. His heart was always happy in the Lord. He was kind, loving, and will be missed very much by his family and friends. In Loving memory, The Sroka Family A note written by Robert: (Written 07/28/2004) ""Singing has been the language of my prayer life in talking to God expressing myself to people and releasing myself to a freedom I really never understood. All I know is that it was what helped me to experience the mystery of this love our Lord Jesus. When I opened myself to the Holy Spirit it changed my life and surprised me each time my focus was on what he would have me do. At times I said no, but the times I said yes or prayed while in deep need for survival, the answer came; not as I expected or thought out. An angel came to help me gain a new freedom and to sing at my side. I gave her the name of ""Suska"" that means ""love"" --- Amen --- PTL"" (Written 07/15/2006) ""I watched the ""Air American"" film last night to relive my Air Force days as a Crew Chief on a C-123 Airplane 54-0577 like the ones in the film. Fifty years ago on 7/9/56 I flew from Dreux Air Force base to Chateauroux, France to unload and then onto Leon, France to drop off the rest. It was good to get back to Dreux. I left that plane there when I returned to the USA in May of 1957. In June of 1973 the C-12 #54-0577 was delivered to the royal LAO Air force in Laos. It was used as airlift operations until the Pathel LAO takeover in 1975.(For info only) From a search engine I found : Royal LAO Air Force aircraft 54-0577, 20026, June 1973 54-0616, 20065 May or June 1973 Reported as being the C-123 used in the crash scene in the ""Air America"" movie. It may be trivia but somehow I got connected to a part of history even tho they don't know my name. But I know the story and so do you. My airplane ended up in a movie and was destroyed and I can enjoy it over and over cause it lives on to all who watch the movie. Is this a great story or what! A/ 1C Robert F. Sroka""