Kenneth Richard Brockman

Kenneth Richard Brockman, 85, died Friday, February 20 at Chandler Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.

He leaves his beloved wife of eight years, Gloria (Blechschmidt) Brockman; his daughter and son Lani and Chad Brockman, step children, Geoff and Ginger, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many, many close friends. He was married to Sally (Chose) Brockman for 53 years until her death in 2005.

Raised in Seattle, Ken grew up in Burien and Laurelhurst and rowed crew for the University of Washington. Following college, Ken enlisted in the Navy and was a Navy pilot until 1953. He and Seattle native, Sally, met in Hawaii where they married and then returned to the Pacific Northwest to start a family. In 1960 they returned to Hawaii where Ken and his two business partners created JBL Hawaii, Ltd., then and still the largest disturber of architectural hardware and materials in the islands. An avid lover and owner of sailboats, Ken was the Commodore at the Kaneohe Yacht Club. He and his son Chad built and raced speed boats and he actively supported his daughter’s love of theater. In 1985 Ken and Sally retired and moved to Sun Lakes, AZ where they enjoyed the good life until Sally’s untimely death in 2005.

Life has a way of surprising us – Ken re-connected with his first love, Gloria Blechschmidt, who had recently lost her spouse of 55 years. Ken and Glo were married in 2007 and their love flourished for eight glorious years. Much of their time was spent traveling and visiting friends and family, but their absolute favorite pastime was enjoying each other’s company.

Ken had a passion for golf, dancing, bridge, building model planes and boats and driving fabulous cars. He golfed a hole-in-one at the age of 78! Ken’s joy of life, sense of humor and engaging smile will be sorely missed.

No public memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ken’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4150 North Drinkwater Blvd, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Robert (Bob) D. Price

After a long journey living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Bob, 77, passed into the hands of our Lord on December 25, 2014. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Bob was born in South Gate, California on October 30, 1937. He spent his elementary school years in the Los Angeles area near his grandparents, aunts and uncles. His family relocated to Van Nuys, California where Bob attended Van Nuys High School. In 1954 he joined the United States Air Force and was trained in Pleasanton, California and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Airman Price went to Okinawa and was stationed at Naha AFB. After 22 months overseas, he returned to the states and ended his four year tour at George AFB.

Bob moved to Simi Valley, California and worked as a carpenter until being hired by Ventura County Fire Dept. in 1962. In 1972, Bob met the love of his life, Diane, while attending Fire Science classes at Moorpark College. Bob and Diane married in 1975 and spent the next 14 years living in Thousand Oaks, California. Bob retired from VCFD in 1989 as a Captain and moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona.

Bob and Diane began a manufacturing representative business, the Price Connection. They traveled extensively through Arizona and had the opportunity to meet people throughout the state. In 1996, they moved to Sun Lakes and truly enjoyed a lively lifestyle while making friendships that have become family.

In 2000, Bob was elected to the Board of Directors for Sun Lakes Fire District. He served on the board for six years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Terry (Veronica) Price; daughter, Sherri Walker; step-daughter, Tuesday Schmidt and granddaughter Jaylyn. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Thomas Robert Price. Interment was at Valley of the Sun Cemetery on December 31, 2014 with family and close friends in attendance.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Bob’s memory to ALS Association, 360 E. Coronado Rd., Ste. 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004 or Sun Lakes Fire District, 25020 S. Alma School Rd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

Very special thanks to all the medical staff who helped Bob and Diane give quality to his life; the ALS Association, Hospice of the Valley, Sun Lakes Firefighters and administrative staff, Paralyzed Veterans Association, the VA for the great care and equipment and all the remarkable people who did the Ice Bucket Challenge in his honor. The support of family and friends is what kept a smile on his face and a reason to keep the great attitude he had. Thank you very much and may God bless each and every one of you for your friendship, prayers and loving care.

Arlene Smith

Arlene Smith, 85, of Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away on Saturday, January 31 at home.

She was born March 6, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Ralph and Mae (Folk) Smith. She was a 1947 graduate of York High School.

Arlene married Ronald Ratzlaff on December 23, 1952. They moved to San Jose, California in 1960. They later divorced.

Arlene worked at the GE Nuclear Energy Plant, retiring in 1994 after 21 years. She then moved to Arizona.

Arlene enjoyed gardening, reading, choral singing and RV traveling.

Arlene is survived by her grandchildren, Alicia and Christopher Waite, Michelle John and great-granddaughter, Brianna John, sisters, Marilyn (Gene) Krouse, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Jean (Clif) Trusdle, Clyde, Ohio, companion Bob Davis and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Jennifer Waite.

There will be a memorial service at a later date.