Robert Vaughan

Robert A. Vaughan, 68, passed away April 16 at his home in Chandler, Ariz., surrounded by family.

Vaughan was born May 25, 1944 in Whitefish. He attended Whitefish High School and was on the 1962 state championship ski team.

He graduated from Montana State University 1969 with a master’s degree in engineering and was a registered engineer in Ohio, Washington and Arizona.

Vaughn married Sue Davis on Dec. 23, 1970 in Dayton, Ohio.

He and his family moved to Yuma, Ariz., in 1984 to work as the executive director of Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization. Vaughan retired in 1998 as the effects of multiple sclerosis set in. While in Yuma he helped develop State Route 195, which today bears his name. He was awarded the Arizona Transportation Legacy Award in 2011.

Vaughan enjoyed skiing, hiking and camping and had a great love for Whitefish and its people. His final run down his beloved Big Mountain was in 1998 during the 50th reunion torchlight parade. Vaughah’s friend, Tom Moe, hi-jacked a sled from ski patrol and with torches in hand, gave him a smokin’ ride down the slope he had skied thousands of times.

Later in life his loves were found in family, writing, computers and designing specialty bookmarks. He fought a brave battle with MS for 23 years based on his faith, determination, humor and love of friends and family.

Vaughan is survived by his wife, Sue, of Chandler; daughters Robin Boyko (Leon) of Glendale, Ariz., Melody Niese (Brad) of Chandler, and Tina Logan (Spencer) of Chicago; three granddaughters, Katherine and Charlotte Niese and Elizabeth Boyko; sister, Nancy Scholten of Seattle; niece, Laurel Sharp of Norway; and nephews, Dr. Will Sharp of Chicago, Dave Scholten of Washington, D.C., and Doug Scholten of Seattle.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Olive Vaughan of Whitefish and sister Lucy Sharp of South Carolina.

The family held a celebration of his life on April 18. Burial of his ashes and a memorial ceremony will be held in Whitefish in August.

Memorials may be sent to: MS Research-National MS Society, PO Box 4527 New York, NY 10163 or by phone to 1-800-344-4867.