| Bio | Milton Edward Rose
November 28, 1941 - October 8, 2021
Milton Edward Rose, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 8, 2021. He passed away peacefully in his home in Richmond, Missouri, following a final, year-long battle with recurrent mantle cell lymphoma.
Milton was born on November 28, 1941, the fifth of eleven children born to Howard Marion and Virginia Elaine (Winters) Rose of Independence, Missouri. After attending Van Horn High School in Independence, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy one day before his eighteenth birthday in 1959. He received training at USNTC in San Diego, California, and served aboard the U.S.S. Wiltsie (DD-716) as Fire Control Technician, Petty Officer Second Class. After discharge to reserve duty in 1963, he worked briefly in the defense industry for Bendix Corporation in Kansas City and Sylvania Electric Products in Mountain View, California, before moving back to Kansas City. In 1966, Milton married Susie Hamann of Richmond, and together they raised two children, Paul and April. It was a great joy for Milton to meet daughter Lisa Blain Hammerly in 2018.
Milton spent most of his career as an electrical and instruments mechanic for TWA, working at the Kansas City overhaul base for a total of 28 years between 1964 and 2003. He was a member of the Machinists Union. A combination of airline layoffs and entrepreneurial drive occasionally led him down other paths. In the early 1970s, he helped set up Higginsville Avionics Lab with friend Dennis Stoll, and throughout the early 1980s, he owned and operated Rose Bros. Metals, an innovative business focused on reclaiming precious metals from obsolete computer systems. When the market for precious metals declined in 1985, Milton returned to the airlines and retired in 2003 as an employee of American Airlines following its acquisition of TWA.
Milton was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Howard Rose, Jr., and two sisters, Johanna Epstein and Christina Wallace. Milton is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Susan Rose of Richmond; daughter Lisa (Michael) Hammerly of Sedalia, son Paul (Andrea) Rose of Olathe, and daughter April (Glen) Martin of Richmond; six grandchildren, Esther, Abigail and Samuel Rose and Nathanael, Joseph and Andrew Martin; six brothers, Vincent (Jenny) Rose of Jacksonville, FL, Luther (Penn) Rose of Shawnee, KS, Stephen (Lana) Rose of Manchester, David (Toni) Rose of Monroe, TN, Patrick (Nancy) Rose of Gainsville, FL, and Douglas (Allegra) Rose of Independence; one sister, Theresa (Larry) Lyday of Independence; and many loving in-laws, nephews, nieces, and friends.
Growing up in Independence, Milton was an intelligent and uncontrollable daredevil whose escapades amazed and entertained siblings and friends, even as they frightened innocent bystanders. One brother described him as “Peter Pan on steroids.” Whatever Milton wanted to learn, he learned—and he was interested in radio, electronics, computers, astronomy, fireworks and cars. Armed with knowledge and a certain glee, there was no limit to the trouble he could devise, whether broadcasting messages to friends over their car radios, creating fake robots with light-up eyes to frighten the neighborhood, or literally shocking theater-goers with electrical current supplied to metal seats. Although he pushed the limits on dangerous stunts, Milton had no harmful intent. He just wanted to bring amusement to himself and the bored masses.
In adulthood, Milton’s intense brand of intellectual curiosity led to a diverse set of serial hobbies. In any given year, it could be ham radio, telescope building, Hebrew language, car engines or gardening that had his attention. Over the years, his grandchildren heard so many different stories about him that they were never quite sure what to believe about Papa Rose. Whatever they heard, it was all true.
Each member of the large Rose family knew poverty and hardships born out of Depression-era adversity, but they persevered, using optimism and love to rise above difficulties that could have been crushing. Milton received the gift of salvation in the late 1960s and credited it with changing his life. He and Susie fellowshipped at the House of Agape in Kansas City and Christian Fellowship Ministry in Richmond, developing many lifelong relationships in which they helped people understand God’s mercy and forgiveness.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to either Christian Fellowship Ministry or Bridge of Hope, both of Richmond. Memorial contributions can be dropped off or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main St. – P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
No memorial service is immediately planned; however, a memorial marker will be placed at Richmond Memory Gardens at a later date. Please remember to share your memories with the family at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com. |
