Roy Eugene Vrba, 90, of Grand Rapids, MI, died Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He was the youngest of 7 children, born March 6, 1924 in Peru, IL, to Edward and Pearl Vrba. In 1942 at age 18, Roy enlisted in the Navy Seabees. Roy fought in the Aleutians, on Guam and was on Okinawa waiting for the order to invade mainland Japan when the war ended. Following the war he was stationed on Hawaii, then at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego until his discharge in 1948. While home on a 30-day leave, Roy met and married Virginia Mann, a school teacher from Beloit, WI. They were married on New Year’s Eve, 1946. After discharge from the Navy, Roy and Ginny moved to New York City so Roy could attend the RCA Institute, receiving his degree in electronics in 1952.
Upon graduation, Roy and Ginny moved to Peru, IL, where their first two children, Ron and Steve, were born. In 1958, the Vrba family moved to Grand Rapids, MI. Roy accepted a position with Lear Siegler, where he worked as a Quality Control Engineer until retirement. In 1960, Roy and Ginny’s youngest child, Suzan, was born.
If asked, Roy would say that his greatest accomplishment was “marrying the best woman in the world.” Roy loved being a husband and a dad more than anything. Roy is survived by his son, Ron Vrba, and daughter, Suzan Vrba, both of Grand Rapids, MI. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, wife Virginia Vrba, and son Steven Vrba.
Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 18 in the chapel at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI. Visitation with the family will be from noon until the service starts at 1:00 p.m.

Honoring his wishes, cremation will take place. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids.