Robert E Karvonen

Sergeant first class (retired) Robert E. Karvonen age 83 of Alabama went to be with the Lord on March 5, 2023.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

Robert was born 9 January 1940 in West Warwick, R.I. at home to the late Ernest and Alice Arnold Karvonen. Robert enlisted in the army in Rhode Island November 1957 and retired at Fort Rucker, Alabama in October 1978.  He served in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief, and platoon sergeant in the 118th assault helicopter company, from 1965 to 1969. He awarded the Bronze star medal, purple heart with 3 oak leaf clusters, meritorious medal for valor with oak leaf cluster, good conduct medal 6th award, national defense service medal, Vietnam service medal ( 8 campaigns), republis of Vietnam campaign medal, Presidential unit citation, valorous unit award, meritorious unit citation, Vietnamese cross of gallantry (unit) (second award), republic of Vietnam civil action unit citation.

He was a life time member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the National Rifle Association. He loved the United States of America, the military, President Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, university of Alabama football, and fishing.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Eugene Karvonen of TN, Audrey and Daniel Hankins of AL, Roy and Carol Gustafson of RI, Paulette Gustafson of RI, Glen Gustafson of SC, Rosanna Lussier of RI, Robert Gustafson Jr. of RI, and Jo-Lynn Gustsafson of RI. His step children Selena MacFadden (Gayle)Shelton, Washington, Walter “Bo” MacFadden (Machelle) Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Joseph Kevin MacFadden (Nancy) Enterprise, Alabama.