Roger D. Weatherbee, 87, of Windsor Locks, died peacefully at The Suffield House on Wednesday, September 26, 2012, with family by his side. Roger was born November 15, 1924, in Carroll, Maine, son of the late Albert and Myra (Bishop) Weatherbee. He grew up in Lincoln, Maine, and graduated in June 1942 from Mattanawcook Academy. Roger's boyhood hobbies—restoring Model T Fords and building and flying model airplanes—foreshadowed a lifetime interest in engineering, aircraft, and flying.

Roger enlisted at eighteen and reported for service in the Army Air Corps in February 1943. He earned his pilot wings and commission as 2nd Lt in January 1944 at Williams Field, Arizona. He flew 50 combat missions in a P-38 fighter plane with the 49th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group from a base in Italy. In March 1945, he returned on leave to Lincoln, Maine, and married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Bradstreet. He remained in the Air Corps until April 1947. Before discharge as a 1st Lt, Roger completed a six-month tour of duty in South Korea flying P-51's.

Roger graduated from MIT with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. While working at Hamilton Standard (now UTC Aerospace Systems) as a Test Engineer, he earned an MS degree in Engineering Science from RPI in 1963. Roger worked at Hamilton Standard for 37 years and earned the respect of colleagues for his abilities as an engineer and a manager. Among projects of particular interest to Roger were the environmental control systems for military and large commercial aircraft and the Apollo space suit program. At retirement in 1987 he held the position of Business Manager for Environmental Control Systems.

Roger enjoyed family, friends, the lakeside cabin in Maine, and favorite hobbies—flying, photography and computers. With retirement came time for reunions with former Air Corps comrades, and he rarely missed the annual Squadron Reunion. Roger maintained his pilot's license into his 80's and often flew co-pilot with his son to Squadron and family events. A story Roger loved to tell was the ride he enjoyed in a restored P-38 on his 80th birthday--a surprise gift from his four children.

Making a home for sixty years and raising his children in Windsor Locks, Roger felt a part of the neighborhood, his church, and the local community. Roger served many years on the board of the Windsor Locks Public Library including the years constructing the present building. He was appointed Chairman of the Town Charter Commission the year the town adopted the Charter. As member of the Windsor Locks Congregational Church since 1953, he served terms as trustee and as deacon. He was a member of the 49th Fighter Squadron Association, the P-38 National Association, and The American Legion Post 36.

Roger is survived by his beloved family: his wife of 67 years, Lorraine; his daughter Ann Deutsch and her husband Phillip of VA; his son Taylor Weatherbee and his wife Kristi of TN; his son Mark Weatherbee and his wife Beatrice of ME; and his daughter Nancy Streeter and her husband Kenneth of NH. Also he is survived by beloved grandchildren: Sarah Weatherbee Jarquin and her husband Pedro, Eric Weatherbee and his wife Brittany, Jessica Blalock and her husband Wesley, Nathan Streeter and his wife Brittany, Benjamin Brad Streeter, Daniel Weatherbee, Jessica Deutsch, Mary Weatherbee, Kimberly Deutsch, and Faith Streeter. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Grace Eden Streeter. Roger is survived by two sisters, Hope Ludwick and Elizabeth Kelly, and a brother, Albert A. Weatherbee. Roger was predeceased by three dear in-law siblings: William Kelly, Ralph Ludwick and Mary (Dunn) Weatherbee. In the summer of 2011 Roger happily welcomed to the cabin in Maine his three great-grandchildren: Tigre and Luna Jarquin and Adalynne Weatherbee.

A memorial service will be held at the Windsor Locks Congregational Church, on Saturday, October 6, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in Dexter Hall. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Roger's name to Missions, Windsor Locks Congregational Church, 8 Main Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096.