Roger P. Gentile, 85, passed away on November 15, 2014, in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Growing up in Santa Monica, California, in the shadows of Clover Airfield and Douglas Aircraft, Roger loved aeronautics and followed his father into a passionate career at Douglas Aircraft beginning in 1952 as a student intern and upon his graduation from the School of Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1954. Roger successfully worked the next four decades on a wide array of projects, ranging from aircraft to missiles to spacecraft, until he retired in 1989. Early in his career at Douglas, Roger worked at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, where he met and married his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Joan (Suggs). Together, they raised three children, while enjoying the outdoor lifestyle of Southern California and touring the American West in a variety of recreational vehicles. After Roger’s retirement, he and Joan moved from their longtime home in Tustin, California, to Morro Bay, California. Together they enjoyed exploring the beautiful central coast region until Joan’s passing in 1993. Subsequently, Roger moved to Whidbey Island and enjoyed the abundance of marine life and the serenity of the Puget Sound for the last dozen years.

Roger enjoyed many outdoor activities throughout his life and was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and Knights of Columbus and St. Mary Catholic Church.

Roger was predeceased by his parents, JJ and Mary, his brother, Thomas, and his wife, Joan. He is survived by his son, Jay (Patti), daughters Felicia Smith (David) and Rochelle Packwood (James), three grandchildren, Lori Gentile (previous wife) and his special friend, Diana Schmidt. The family wishes to thank the staff at The Regency on Whidbey for the compassionate care they provided to Roger.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, December 6, 11 am at Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, 1811 NE 16th Avenue #A, Oak Harbor, WA, with Rev. Jerome Kienzle as Celebrant.

Those interested in making memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are asked to consider the Yosemite Conservancy.

Please visit Roger’s page in the Book of Memories hosted at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roger Phillip Gentile, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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