December 6, 2013

Randy David Roby- From his Mother, JoAnne Roby
March 3, 1964 - August 7, 1996
Randy David Roby was born on March 3, 1964 in Gardena, California, to Dave and JoAnne Roby. He lived in Redondo Beach until 1967 when he moved to Fresno, California. Randy played soccer for the Fresno Junior Soccer League for 10 years beginning at the age of 8. During this time Randy played on various all-star select teams, as well as traveling to numerous tournaments throughout the country. He was also a member of the Fresno High School Varsity team until he graduated in 1982. While in high school, Randy was an assistant coach for an Under 8 soccer team. A member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he attended Fresno State until the spring of 1983 when he was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy. While at the Academy, Randy was active both as a parachutist and as the goalie for the Varsity soccer team. He graduated from the Academy with a Bachelors Degree in Human Factors Engineering in 1987 and entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas. After graduating from the Academy, he had the honor of being selected to the United States Air Force International Soccer Team. Upon graduating from Pilot Training he was hand picked to return to Laughlin as a T-38 instructor pilot, where he served in various duties directly affecting the careers and lives of over 100 new Air Force pilots. In the winter of 1992 Randy interviewed and was accepted to the U-2 program at Beale Air Force base, and began training in the Spring of 1993. He served in multiple overseas locations, accumulating over 2,000 flight hours, which included nearly 100 combat hours, before being selected to serve as an instructor and evaluator of other U-2 pilots. In the supper of 1994 Randy’s world brightened when he met and later married Nina Georgiou. On November 2, 1995 their son, Matthew Gregory was born.

Randy was killed on August 7, 1996 when his U-2 plane malfunctioned over Oroville, California. Randy was scheduled to retire from the Air Force in late August of 1996 to begin a new career with United Airlines. His second son, Randy Christopher, was born on April 14, 1997.

From the Memorial Dedication Program, November 22, 2013
Dedication Service Pledge of Allegiance
Opening Remarks- George Morris Chief, Butte County Fire Department CALFIRE Butte Unit
Guest Speakers: Stu Shaner, Oroville Resident, Lt. Colonel Colby J. Kuhns, Commander, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base
Reception immediately following dedication at Station 63 in the Apparatus Bay.

On August 7, 1996 at 2:16 pm a U-2 Reconnaissance Plane crashed on 2nd Street near Grand Avenue. USAF Captain Randy D. Roby and Oroville resident Geraldine Marie Vering lost their lives. This memorial commemorates a man’s service to this country and the heartfelt loss of family and friends. A special thank you to the personnel of BCFD/CALFIRE Fire Station #63 for all the hard work involved in the construction and placement of this memorial. Thank you Butte County Fire Fighters Benevolent Foundation for the donation that helped make this possible.

The Oroville Eastern Star Chapter No. 35, is once again honoring Veterans buried at the local cemetery. After Worthy Matron Debbie Wendell came up with the idea to start a program of placing Christmas Wreaths on the graves of Veterans at the Oroville Memorial Park Cemetery on Lincoln Blvd. This year the chapter has made a total of 3,600 wreaths that are to be placed starting at 10:00AM Friday December 6th and removed the week following Christmas. Volunteers are welcome. Call Debbie at 534-5076 for information.

Stu Notes:
So if you can help out the Eastern Star Ladies, I’m sure they would appreciate it. Remember, that is today at 10am. I’m sure they will be happy and I’m sure they will except men helpers too.

Pearl Harbor 72 years ago tomorrow, let’s show those Patriotic Gridley Men and Women, Oroville hasn’t forgotten either. My friend, Art Wells, told me he couldn’t make it this year. I am sure going to miss him. If you haven’t seen the beautiful Veterans Memorial at the Gridley Cemetery, now’s your chance. They are also selling bricks out there that you can honor any American Veteran living or dead. They don’t have to live in Butte County. I have five out there for some of our family Veterans.