April 30, 2022
April 30, 2022
I miss you, Dad.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Ronald (Dusty) Roads, 82 years old, born on October 9, 1938, and passed away on April 30, 2021. We will remember him forever.
Memorial Service
A memorial service with full military honors was held on Sunday, 20 June 2021.
Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home
508 E Linden Ave
Miamisburg, OH 45342
20 June 2021
2-4 pm
Obituary
Ronald K. “Dusty” Roads, USACOE (Ret.), passed away from a long illness at 82 years, on April 30, 2021. Dusty is preceded in death by his parents, Kermit and Miriam Lee nee Shank. He is survived by his brother James (Bonnie) Roads; daughters Tamara Bushey, Lisa Richardson, Heidi Elliot and Ronnie Kae (Eric) Schneider; and many nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dusty was born October 9, 1938 in Dayton, OH. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1956. After trying his hand as a mechanic, welder, and other interesting jobs, Dusty enlisted in the Army. His first post was in Artillery Kaserne, Neckarsulm Germany with the 46th Artillery Group, 523rd Engineer Battalion. He was responsible for producing the liquid oxygen for Redstone mobile missiles located at the base.
Dusty quickly rose in rank and responsibility and in 1966 he was appointed to the Army Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School. After graduation from OCS as a 2nd Lieutenant he continued his education, graduating with honors from the Corps of Engineers Advanced Training Course.
In July of 1967 he was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam with the 35th Engineer Construction Group. During this time the COE was building a new concrete runway and taxiway for the Air Force’s 12th Tactical Fighter Wing’s Air Base and a dock for the U.S. Navy.
Read more: US Army Germany - 46th Artillery Group (Redstone)
Dusty was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he oversaw the revision of the Army’s Technical Manuals for calibration and maintenance of hand tools, equipment, and equipment for fabrication of munitions and ordinance.
Dusty was stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah where he oversaw the training of Reserve Engineering Units in several western states including Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Dusty retired from the Army in 1978 with the rank of Major. His service medals from 20 years of service included:
Dusty used his Army Corp of Engineers experience with another project in Washington Township. He was instrumental in the creation of the Crains Run Water Board. He helped procure the grants to build Crains Run water tower and oversaw installation of the water supply pipe infrastructure. He served as President of the Water Board for many years. Dusty spent many-a-nights tracking down system emergencies. Whether it was system freeze emergencies, system chlorination adjusting, pipe leaks, or cars hitting fire hydrants he was always there to help.
Dusty had two favorite hobbies: building things and blowing things up. He enjoyed building custom furniture from trees cut down from his property, including an elm staircase and railing for his home. With his knowledge of demolitions from the Army and the help of pyrotechnic guilds, he created custom aerial fireworks for 4th of July celebrations to the delight of his family.
In lieu of flowers:
Memorial Service
A memorial service with full military honors was held on Sunday, 20 June 2021.
Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home
508 E Linden Ave
Miamisburg, OH 45342
20 June 2021
2-4 pm
Obituary
Ronald K. “Dusty” Roads, USACOE (Ret.), passed away from a long illness at 82 years, on April 30, 2021. Dusty is preceded in death by his parents, Kermit and Miriam Lee nee Shank. He is survived by his brother James (Bonnie) Roads; daughters Tamara Bushey, Lisa Richardson, Heidi Elliot and Ronnie Kae (Eric) Schneider; and many nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dusty was born October 9, 1938 in Dayton, OH. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1956. After trying his hand as a mechanic, welder, and other interesting jobs, Dusty enlisted in the Army. His first post was in Artillery Kaserne, Neckarsulm Germany with the 46th Artillery Group, 523rd Engineer Battalion. He was responsible for producing the liquid oxygen for Redstone mobile missiles located at the base.
Dusty quickly rose in rank and responsibility and in 1966 he was appointed to the Army Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School. After graduation from OCS as a 2nd Lieutenant he continued his education, graduating with honors from the Corps of Engineers Advanced Training Course.
In July of 1967 he was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam with the 35th Engineer Construction Group. During this time the COE was building a new concrete runway and taxiway for the Air Force’s 12th Tactical Fighter Wing’s Air Base and a dock for the U.S. Navy.
Read more: US Army Germany - 46th Artillery Group (Redstone)
Dusty was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he oversaw the revision of the Army’s Technical Manuals for calibration and maintenance of hand tools, equipment, and equipment for fabrication of munitions and ordinance.
Dusty was stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah where he oversaw the training of Reserve Engineering Units in several western states including Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Dusty retired from the Army in 1978 with the rank of Major. His service medals from 20 years of service included:
- (2) Good Conduct Medals
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars (each star designated a campaign during the war)
- Vietnam Campaign Medal with 2 O/S Bars
- Army Commendation Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 2 palms (Unit)
- Sharpshooter Badge w/Rifle Bar (M-14)
- Expert Badge w/Rifle Bar (M-16)
Dusty used his Army Corp of Engineers experience with another project in Washington Township. He was instrumental in the creation of the Crains Run Water Board. He helped procure the grants to build Crains Run water tower and oversaw installation of the water supply pipe infrastructure. He served as President of the Water Board for many years. Dusty spent many-a-nights tracking down system emergencies. Whether it was system freeze emergencies, system chlorination adjusting, pipe leaks, or cars hitting fire hydrants he was always there to help.
Dusty had two favorite hobbies: building things and blowing things up. He enjoyed building custom furniture from trees cut down from his property, including an elm staircase and railing for his home. With his knowledge of demolitions from the Army and the help of pyrotechnic guilds, he created custom aerial fireworks for 4th of July celebrations to the delight of his family.
In lieu of flowers:
In memory of Dusty, a lifelong builder and lover of home, please consider making a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.
You can make a dedicated donation, including an acknowledgement to the family, via the Gift from the Heart website here: https://www.habitat.org/donate/?link=628
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
December 26, 2021
December 26, 2021
I remember homemade stock for the Thanksgiving gravy and grinding the cranberry-apple-orange relish made days ahead so it would develop the magical sweet-tart flavor.
I remember you cooking the perfect Christmas ham all day on the barbecue.
For many years we had only the phone calls with holiday wishes.
This year I have only memories.
I miss you Dad!
I remember you cooking the perfect Christmas ham all day on the barbecue.
For many years we had only the phone calls with holiday wishes.
This year I have only memories.
I miss you Dad!
May 2, 2021
May 2, 2021
Best memory ever? We were living on base in Virginia, I believe Fairfax Village. Dad and I were sitting on the couch together. I think we were listening to an album that Tammy had just bought, Jesus Christ Superstar. Anyway, my hair was long at that time, the only time actually, and Dad started stroking it. I still remember that to this day.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
April 30, 2022
April 30, 2022
I miss you, Dad.
December 26, 2021
December 26, 2021
I remember homemade stock for the Thanksgiving gravy and grinding the cranberry-apple-orange relish made days ahead so it would develop the magical sweet-tart flavor.
I remember you cooking the perfect Christmas ham all day on the barbecue.
For many years we had only the phone calls with holiday wishes.
This year I have only memories.
I miss you Dad!
I remember you cooking the perfect Christmas ham all day on the barbecue.
For many years we had only the phone calls with holiday wishes.
This year I have only memories.
I miss you Dad!
May 2, 2021
May 2, 2021
Best memory ever? We were living on base in Virginia, I believe Fairfax Village. Dad and I were sitting on the couch together. I think we were listening to an album that Tammy had just bought, Jesus Christ Superstar. Anyway, my hair was long at that time, the only time actually, and Dad started stroking it. I still remember that to this day.
Gallery
Lowrys Australia
Dusty Roads Germany 1962-3 enlisted
Dusty Pat Roads, Devon Madison-Nikki Daniels
Dusty Pat Roads, Aleasha Craig Daniels wedding
Dusty and Ronnie Kae USAF Museum Dayton Ohio
Dusty and Ronnie Kae Aleasha's wedding April 1995
Poppa Dusty and Madison-Nikki
Heidi Brad Wilbert Kermit Dusty 5 gens
Patricia and Dusty Roads
Recent stories
Music as a key to memory
May 13, 2021
One of my clearest memories is an ordinary day in the Sandy house.
I was sitting on the dark brown sofa in the basement, reading one of the Borrowers books. Dad was in his workshop. He had written on the wall (unfinished sheetrock on the inside of the shop): "measure twice, cut once dummy!" Testament to an oops at some point.
The radio was on, and Don't Rock the Boat was playing. The song was released in 1974, which fits the timeframe. I would have been about 9, in 4th grade.
I had a moment of clarity, of being in the present moment - and all was well in my world.
Every time I hear that song I remember, and I smile.
More on the house
It was a new house, in an area under development.
Dad finished that basement: workshop, family room, laundry area, and two bedrooms. As I recall, that was the first house where we each had our own bedroom.
Tammy and Heidi's rooms were in the basement. Heidi's was red, white and blue with the most shocking red shag carpet. Lisa had pink; she painted flowers on her headboard. I think my room was green.
I was sitting on the dark brown sofa in the basement, reading one of the Borrowers books. Dad was in his workshop. He had written on the wall (unfinished sheetrock on the inside of the shop): "measure twice, cut once dummy!" Testament to an oops at some point.
The radio was on, and Don't Rock the Boat was playing. The song was released in 1974, which fits the timeframe. I would have been about 9, in 4th grade.
I had a moment of clarity, of being in the present moment - and all was well in my world.
Every time I hear that song I remember, and I smile.
More on the house
It was a new house, in an area under development.
Dad finished that basement: workshop, family room, laundry area, and two bedrooms. As I recall, that was the first house where we each had our own bedroom.
Tammy and Heidi's rooms were in the basement. Heidi's was red, white and blue with the most shocking red shag carpet. Lisa had pink; she painted flowers on her headboard. I think my room was green.