Keith Leroy Waters

One day while I was working at Hughes Aircraft Company, a young man came in my office asking directions to a office in Building 6. It was February 1965 and the young man was Keith Waters. Later he asked me out for lunch at the local Sizzler Diner. And we never looked back, then in 1967 a wonderful marriage and life together.

In 1938, farmers Ty & Wilma welcomed, Keith August 20 in Todd County, Minnesota, Then around 1948 the family moved back to their hometown, Havelock, Iowa. First buying the local cafe and later the Drug Store; they ran as a Sundaries Store.

As a teen, Keith washed dishes and worked at the Sundries Store & Soda Fountain, serving cokes, scrumptious Banana Splits, and tasty malts.

During the 1940s were 240 town residents and local farms. Then the 1950s population declined, so Keith, Ty and Wilma moved to Los Angeles area in 1956. At that time, Keith’s older siblings, Gary, Ruth and Dick were already married.

Graduating in 1958 at Santa Monica High School, Keith completed his senior years. He was interested in photography, also WWII history buff. He loved tinkering with gadgets; repairing items, as well as projects around the house such as electrical, plumbing carpentry, so no professional needed.

Keith spent hours in our garden pruning the roses and azaleas, One year fearlessly climbing our Cordary House roof, Keith installed matching asphalt shingles.

Finding his life-long career at Hughes Aircraft Co. on October 13, 1958, Keith began delivering mail. Because of sensitive documents, Keith also had a secret clearance. Later Keith was promoted to Government Property Manager.

In May 1962, Keith was drafted into the US Army. After basic training in Fort Ord, on Monterey Bay, Keith was sent to school in Fort Devens Massachusetts; later assigned to the Army Security Agency, USASA DF.NET, Tuslog Det 4 Sinop, Turkey. Then in 1964, Keith received honorary discharge to US Army Corps until 1968.

Army Good Conduct Metal; Expert Badge (Rifle).

After his discharge, Keith returned to Hughes Aircraft Co. Employed in the property department controlling Hughes’ programs using Government owned property

Over the years, we managed rental houses; the first one on Alla Road, Mar Vista and presently a home in Temecula. Between tenants; we fixed up the homes including painting, installing new electric lights inside and low voltage lights in garden. Whenever the tenant called, Keith was right over to access and fix the problem.

For pleasure in 1970’s, Keith began flying radio controlled model Airplanes. First were fuel-powered planes; however around 10 years ago, Temecula Valley Flyer’s Club was required to use electric motors for sound reduction.

Moving to Temecula in 2006, Keith suggested that we join the local garden club, Temecula Valley Garden Club, and he is still a member. Our home in Temecula has a lot of customization including ten Kitchen pullout drawers; rebuilding Kitchen island, and a secret door under the stair- case, to name a few.

Another great joy was his love of travel, thus many trips driving around the USA including the West Coast, the Midwest and Florida, Atlanta, Williamsburg, Virginia and Boston, Mass.

During the 1990s we enjoyed bus tours in Europe, as well as Australia, and New Zealand. On a special 2010 Black Sea Cruise, we visited the fishing village in Sinop, Turkey. Keith showed me around this village. Looking up to the nearby hill, Keith pointed out the former US Army base where he was stationed in 1962 .

His loving wife,

Nancy Jane Waters