Robert Richard Hosking

Robert Richard Hosking died in the early dawn of August 7, 2018 due to complications from Agent Orange exposure.
Bob was born on July 19, 1943 to Richard Hosking and Corrine Gatzke in New York City. Growing up in a military family, he traveled the world as a child and into young adulthood. He earned his pilot's license at age 19, and following his family's long-standing tradition, he volunteered to join the United States Army and served in Vietnam in 1964-65.
He returned home a decorated veteran but burdened with grief and the loss of friends who did not return. In their honor, and in memory of those still M.I.A., he requested his awards not be listed in his obituary, saying simply, "It just wouldn't feel right."
After his military service, Bob attended college in Moses Lake, Washington, where he met another "military brat" who would become his wife. Bob married Jane Adams on April 14, 1968.
Bob worked for Alaska and Northwest Airlines and he and his young family lived in Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Las Vegas, Twin Falls and Salt Lake City. Everywhere he lived he opened his heart and his home to foster children, stranded travelers, and anyone who needed a helping hand or a place to stay.
Retired from his aviation career in 1985, with his wife he established The Learning Tree Schools in Salt Lake City, which operates today in the hands of the next generation. Bob was an enthusiastic pilot, loving all things aviation, and loved scuba diving and fishing. In his retirement home on Kauai, he learned woodworking and carving under the tutelage of his friend and neighbor, Wally Jaynes. After that, he enjoyed giving beautiful carvings, pens and cutting boards to friends and family, and passing his love of woodworking on to his grandchildren.
Most of all, Bob was a devoted husband, father and papa to his large and ever-growing family. Summers he hosted his children and grandchildren on Kauai, teaching them to swim and snorkel, to paddle board, and to spread their wings and try new activities and adventures. In the fall and winter, he was on the mainland, attending their concerts, games and school performances, shopping for their Christmas and birthday presents, and encouraging them to work hard, to study hard and to pursue their dreams.
Bob was a convert to Catholicism, and a member of St. Catherine's Parish in Kapa'a. He was a man of deep faith – a faith he lived quietly, but profoundly. Greatly missed, the loss of this strong and caring man has left a void in our hearts that can only be filled with our memories of his warmth, his generosity and his compassion for others. We will seek to follow his example by living our lives with purpose and joy and love, learning from our mistakes and growing from our failures.
Bob is survived by Jane, his wife of 50 years; and 8 children, Jon Hosking (Heather), Laura, David Hosking (Meredith), Rebekah, Joanna MacLean (Devon), Bethany, Matthew Hosking (Shantel), and Brianne; 20 grandchildren, David, Liam, Nicholas, Jessica, Sara, Abigail, Colin, Destiny, Alexis, Isaac, Lacey, Alissa, James, Michael, Grace, Richard, Max, Molly, Katherine and BrynnLei and many great-grandchildren; his sister Patricia Ryals; brother Ray Hosking; and lifelong friend and brother, Wallace Holmes. He is preceded in death by his grandson Alexander Porter.
A Visitation will be held on Monday, August 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Tuesday, August 14th at 1:00 pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 9757 South 1700 East in Sandy. Committal will follow at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park in Bluffdale, 17111 South 1700 West. Robert will be buried with full military honors.