Robert A. Scruton

Aug 10, 1949 -

Jun 30, 2022

In memory of Robert "Bob" Scruton, who passed on June 30, 2022, in his home in Anchorage, Alaska. Bob is survived by his wife, Rita; and son, Brett. His family compromised on Bob's wishes to not publish an obituary following his passing by waiting a year. As a voracious storyteller himself, Bob should have his life noted and featured in the newspaper section he considered essential reading.

Born to Phyllis and Arthur Scruton in Montreal, Canada, Bob left his home country for adventure at the age of 17 and joined the U.S. Army in 1966. He proudly served in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, the latter of which included a combat tour in Vietnam. During his tour he received a Bronze Star, but turned down a Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds after learning his parents would be notified.

Following his combat service and becoming a U.S. citizen, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1972. He then joined the U.S. Border Patrol in 1976, with station assignments in California, Florida, and Texas. It was in Miami, Fla., that Bob met Rita and the two were married in 1985. They moved to Anchorage in 1987 for a new job as a Special Agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Despite a promise of "just two years," they remained in Alaska and Brett was born in 1990.

Bob was a boisterous and confrontational man, with an almost morbid but keen sense of humor that will not be forgotten by those who knew him. Even with declining health, he would hold court and crack jokes to those around him. Eventually, a lifetime of adventure and service would catch up with him, and even his stubbornness and team of talented medical professionals, and care from Rita, could not stave off the inevitable.

With his passing, the world lost a true adventurer, lover of animals, avid listener of Cher, connoisseur of fine bourbon and a talented firearms instructor. By his own measure, he lived an incredible life. As per the wishes that his family did not compromise on, Bob was cremated and buried in an ammo can at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.