RALPH ERIC ROBINETTE

Ralph Eric Robinette, 40, died at his home in Wasilla, Nov. 5. A memorial service will be held at Valley Funeral Home Saturday, Nov. 9 at 12 noon.

Mr. Robinette was born Dec. 14, 1961, in Baltimore, Md. He had been a resident of Alaska since 1980. He had been employed with Frank's Auto Collision for 15 years.

Mr. Robinette was a hunter, artist, guitar picker, fisherman and avid outdoorsman. His family remembers, "Eric first laid eyes on Alaska 28 years ago when his grandparents brought him on a cross-country summer vacation from the east coast. He knew then at the age of 11 that he wanted to live in this beautiful part of God's country. Seven years later he moved to Alaska and has been here ever since. To Eric, Alaska was home. His immense love of the wilderness was nurtured here and his adventuresome outdoorsman spirit thrived. His life was filled with ongoing fishing, hunting and hiking expeditions, sometimes accompanied by his son, grandfather, uncles, cousins, or close friends who shared his enthusiasm and love for the great outdoors, his kindred spirits.

If you were to ask Eric about the best day of his life he would without hesitation and with an enormously proud ear-to-ear smile tell you the day his son was born. Matthew's first fishing experience in a front pack on Eric's chest at the tender age of four days old was the beginning of a life-long bond of a father-son relationship that was admired by many. Throughout the years they shared adventures, heartfelt talks and loving moments. Matthew's friends came to know and love Eric, too. They found him to be an excellent listener. He was always ready to share a story, talk to them about what was on their minds or just enjoy sitting around with them strumming the guitar. He was a mentor in many ways and enjoyed sharing time with them and was comforted by their presence.

Eric's capacity to love his family and friends was enormous. His soulful eyes, warm heart and sensitive sprit will be missed by all who loved him. He leaves us with a unique gift that will comfort and stay with us until we are together again, a legacy of love."

Mr. Robinette is survived by his mother Aloha J. Aaron of Wasilla; his son Matthew A. Robinette of Wasilla; his sister Toy R. Barfield of Franconia, N.H., and his brother Walter E. Robinette of Pasadena, Md.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.