Roger Bill Cable
Feb. 11, 1938 — Sept. 28, 2022
Roger Bill Cable learned to fly before he learned to drive. At 7 years old, Roger and his older siblings moved boulders and flattened runways, helping their father Dewey Cable and mother Maude Cable fulfill their dream of building what would become Cable Airport in Upland, California, the largest privately owned, public use airport in the world — still family owned and run.
On his 16th birthday, Roger soloed in seven different aircraft and continued his love of flying throughout his life. Brothers Paul and Walter and sister Mildred all were pilots, and all had airport responsibilities over the years. During his military service in the Navy he was stationed at the Naval Air Station on O‘ahu, where he first fell in love with Hawai‘i. After his time in the Navy he returned to Cable Airport and managed the flight school and created Cable Commuter Airline, a busy charter service, before returning to Hawai‘i.
Roger had two children, Robert Alan (Suzanne) Cable and Lorena Marie Cable (Kevin) McGovern. His son Bob is president and CEO of Cable Airport, and continues the family tradition, making significant impact as the airport surpasses its 75th anniversary. Lori and Kevin and his dear granddaughter Rose share Roger’s love for travel, and reside in Sonoma, California. After 35 years as a single man, Roger met Roberta Wallace, and they married in 2004, which gave Roger four stepchildren, Paige (Russ) Talvi, Richard Wallace, Michael (Amanda) Wallace and Kim Whittle, plus 10 grandchildren and four great grandschildren, all of whom he loved as his own.
In Hawai‘i, Roger had many business ventures including a tourist photo business and an air freight business to the South Pacific. He was appointed consulate for Kiribati, and was drawn to more businesses and adventures further in the Pacific, in Tahiti and Australia. Ultimately, he returned to Hawai‘i, where his neighbor and long time friend, Brian Barbata, appointed him general manager of Senter Petroleum, where he served for 25 of his 34 years in beautiful Kaua‘i.
Roger was very active in his community, as Rotary Club of Kaua‘i president, founding member of Leadership Kaua‘i, chairman of Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, and commodore of the Kaua‘i Yacht Club. He loved golf and sailing and spent countless hours studying to improve his performance in both. He even appeared in a David Penhallow one-act play with his wife, Roberta. He was always ready to help a friend or neighbor when they had problems. Roger had a wonderful gift of wit and clarity that he used as master of ceremonies at various events during his long career as a community leader.
Leadership in the association of Chevron fuel distributors in Hawai‘i took Roger and Roberta on many trips throughout the U.S. Roberta and Roger were also loyal attendees and volunteers at the Cable Air Show through the years. Flying private aircraft was still part of his life and work well into his 70s.
Roger succumbed to cancer on Sept. 28, 2022, at home with his wife and family at his side. Roger, the youngest of his generation, was predeceased by his parents, Maude and Dewey, brothers Paul and Walter and sister Millie.
Memorials to Kaua‘i Hospice, Rotary International Foundation and Kaua‘i Sailing Association in his memory are suggested by the family. His celebration of life is on his birthday, February 11. His wish was to have an 85th birthday celebration, and though he can’t be there in body, he will be in spirit: at the Hukilau Lanai restaurant in the Kaua‘i Coast Resort at the Beachboy in Waipouli from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ruth Leone Gibson
Ruth Leone Gibson, 94, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Jan. 24, 2023. She was born on Jan. 5, 1929 and retired as a bookkeeper.
She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Gibson.
Ruth is survived by her son Robin Gibson, granddaughter Sharon Gibson and great-grandchildren Dax and Aurana.
Private services will be held by the family.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sally Takamura Okada
Sally Takamura Okada, 94, of Kekaha, passed away on Nov. 3, 2022, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea. She was born on May 31, 1928, in Waimea. She retired as a bank teller at First Hawaiian Bank in ‘Ele‘ele.
She was preceded in death by husband Sadamu Okada, parents Sabujuntaro and Yukie Takamura, brothers Shigeyuki, Tamotsu, Mitsuo, Tomeichi and Glenn, and sisters Tsuruko Takamura and Matsuko Ijima.
She is survived by daughters Sadie Remigio of Kekaha and Donna Okada-Asher (Roy Asher) of Kekaha, grandchildren Steven (Caryn Tomita) Fountain of Honolulu, Marissa (Brandon) Ozaki of Mililani, O‘ahu and Evan Asher of San Francisco, great-grandchildren Lyon Fountain, Greysen Fountain and Oliva Ozaki, brother Yukio Takamura of Honolulu, brother-in-law James Okada of South San Gabriel, California, sister Jean Midori Komori of Honolulu, sisters-in-law Jan Takamura of Lawa‘i, Jane Takamura of Lihu‘e, Jane Takamura of Waimea, Debbie Takamura of Atascadero, California, Nobue Watanabe of Waimea, Emi Okada of South San Gabriel, California and Sakiko Okihara of Waimea, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services were held.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Frederick Tangalin
Frederick Tangalin left his mortal body unexpectedly on Jan. 14 2023, at his home in Wailua. He was born on Jan 18, 1950, to Buenaventura (Ben) Tangalin and Haumin (Herminia) Simeon.
As a young child, he lived in Moloa‘a Camp with his loving grandmother Victoria Tabigne, instilling a lifelong love of plantation life, making it along with the beauty of Kaua‘i the subject of many of his paintings. He attended Ko‘olau and Kapa‘a School, and at 16 years old he began his study of painting from master artist and his mentor Leonard Herbert.
As a child, he worked as a shoeshine boy and torch lighter at the Coco Palms Hotel, later becoming a waiter before going on to work at other Kaua‘i restaurants. As a young man, he was an avid surfer, fisherman and spear diver.
In 1975 he met and married his wife Carol. He worked as a foster parent for Hale ‘Opi‘o for many years, and former foster children often called to talk to “Uncle Fred.” Always seeking to inspire the artist in others, he gave painting lessons in his studio to local artists, taught watercolors at Kaua‘i Community College, and painted murals on the post office and ‘Ele‘ele School cafeteria with elementary school students.
Later in life, Fred really enjoyed traveling the world to places like Mexico, Spain and Alaska with his wife, going holoholo around Kaua‘i in his Toyota truck, nurturing his koi fish and plants, cooking for his family and drinking good coffee. Fred embodied the aloha spirit, and enjoyed being with people, telling stories, and sharing his art and love (which are one and the same).
Family members who preceded him include his parents, stepfather Maurice Lardizabal, brothers Steve and Leonard, brother-in-law Dennis Marugame and dogs Hanuman and Bhima, among many beloved fur babies.
Fred is survived and missed by his loving wife of 47 years Carol, daughter Natalia, brother Leroy, sisters Gloria (Rick Wilson) Reed, Yolanda (Scott) Kurihara and Nena Johnson, sisters-in-law Charlotte Ka‘ai, Karen Tangalin and Teresa Brofka, hanai son Brandon Vrin Daavin Parker, foster sons Daniel (Loki) Collins, Kekoa Hubbard and Howard Spencer, nieces and nephews Steven Jr. (Melisa), Mahealani (Elmer) Sarmento, Michelle (Jim) Simbert, Ryan Delacruz, Sabrina Dune, Umi (Robin) Tangalin, Tisha Dawn (Steve) Hawley, Dane (Trisha) Kurihara, Ohia, Keawe, Kamani, Malia Grollman and Heather Marugame, and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Wednesday, May 31, at Harbor House next to Kikia‘ola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha (the old mango grove) starting at 3 p.m.
