Obituary of Roland Anderson Chambers

Roland Chambers of Topock, AZ died on March 21, 2018. Born May 6, 1939 in Kennett, Missouri, he was the son of the late Roland and Mary Cecil Mangold Chambers. On October 1st, 1960, he was united in marriage with Martha Ann Davis of Kennett, who survives the home. Roland was an autodidact and avid reader, having only an eighth grade education did not deter him from acquiring knowledge on many subjects. The family spent four years in Chicago, IL where he learned the trade of millwright/machine erector. Family relocated to Phoenix, AZ, where he was employed by Reynolds Aluminum extrusion plant as a maintenance mechanic. In 1970 the family moved to Alaska where they bought part of an old homestead near the small hamlet of Moose Pass. The children often came home from school in Moose Pass complaining about not being allowed to play outside because of aggressive moose on the playground. Roland worked as a commercial fisherman longlining for halibut and crew member on the University Research Vessel Acona. He started employment with a gold nugget jewelry manufacturing company as a machinist/tool and die maker and was promoted to foreman, then to superintendent. When company relocated, the family opted not to go. In 1973 Roland was hired by Marathon Oil Company as a maintenance mechanic on an offshore oil production platform in Alaska. He advanced rapidly and transferred to Cody, WY and into management as an engineer technician. Marathon Oil Company saw fit to send him through several intensive industry training programs. Including courses at Texas A&M at College Station, TX and UT at Tyler Longview, TX and LSU at Lafayette, LA. He filled positions as supervisor for, natural gas production, natural gas processing plant maintenance, and oil production until he retired. He was granted U.S. mechanical patents for well blow out preventer (Patent US4377206) and automatic flame snuffer (Patent US4468194) inventions relating to the oil and gas production industry. He is survived by his beloved wife Martha of 57 years. Daughters Brenda Herbaugh of Farmington, New Mexico and Cynthia Perkins of Cody, Wyoming, three grandsons, Mathew and Christopher Herbaugh, Colton Perkins, granddaughter Kelsey Perkins Smith and great granddaughter Ella Smith. Five siblings, sisters Ruth Holt, Barbara Miley, Jean Bush, Marianne Hockert and brother Jerry Chambers. He was preceded in death by sisters, Louise Young, Evelyn Estes and Bobbie Holt. There will be no funeral; after cremation his ashes will be laid to rest at the family plot in Cody, Wyoming, when a memorial service will be held. Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees. Huge Thank you to Hospice of Havasu for making a difference in my Dads final days.... We are forever grateful for the excellent care and compassion you showed us. From the first time we called them when Heather came to see my Dad and reassured him, my mom and me that they were there to help with whatever and to put our minds at ease. And Heather was there in the end with us then my Dad passed. The whole staffs made us feel comfortable and explained everything. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hospice of Havasu (www.hospicehavasu.org) or Animal Shelter of your choice.