Obituary of John Robert Lofstrom

A man of faith, integrity, and strength, John Robert (Bob) Lofstrom passed away July 13, 2015 at the age of 89. The oldest of four children in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, he got his first job at 11, and left home at 16 to join the Merchant Marines. He served in the Pacific Theater during the war and afterwards in the Army Air Corp at Hill Air Force base in Utah. During his tenure in the service, he met Bettie Trussell at the USO, declaring before the night was over that he and she would be married, which came true shortly afterwards. Lifelong members of the Assemblies of God church, they raised three daughters, Nancy, Judy and Dottie. Bob's first concern was supporting his growing family and after a trying out a few different careers (bus driver, underwater sea diver) he settled on driving a truck for a living, which he did until his retirement at age 62. After retirement, Bob and Bettie hit the road with their travel trailer, seeing America on an extended 7-month trip. They delighted in travel right up until Bettie's untimely death in 2006. Despondent after the passing of his wife, Bob moved to Tucson to be closer to daughter Judy and her family, unexpectedly meeting a new best friend, Barbara McDonald. With Barbara, Bob learned to dance and laugh again, and she eased his last few years tremendously, for which his daughters are deeply grateful. He was preceded in his death by his parents, Gertrude and John Lofstrom, his beloved brother Billy, sister Esther Murray, and most profoundly, by his dear wife Bettie. He is survived by daughters Nancy (Jerry) Koetitz, Judy (Loyd) Wood, and Dot (Robin Johnson), as well as brother Evan (wife Bev) Ross, and best friend Barbara. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Bring's Broadway Chapel 6910 E. Broadway, Tucson, at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, which would have been his ninetieth birthday.