Robert and Irene Aikin of Los Alamos on their wedding day, 60 years ago today. Courtesy photo
Los Alamos residents Robert and Irene Aikin today celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Courtesy photoThe biggest joy in the lives of Robert and Irene Aikin as they celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today, July 20, is the time they spend with their children and grandchildren. The said they couple feel blessed that their children live close by and that they get to see them often.
The Aikins met in Michigan when Irene was attending Harper Hospital School of Nursing and Wayne State University, and Bob was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force based at Selfridge Air Force Base. They met at a social gathering with mutual friends and a couple of weeks later he asked her out.
Irene said she thought Bob was very nice and that they were very compatible and that they both enjoyed the outdoors and going to the movies. When Bob got out of the service, he asked her to marry him and they eventually tied the knot at St. James Catholic Church in Ferndale, Mich., which is Irene’s home town.
The couple moved to Drain Plains near Oakland, Mich., where they began raising their family.
“I was fortunate to be able to be at home with our children, be active in PTA and be a homeroom mother,” Irene said.
Like many other, the Aikins moved to Los Alamos when Bob got a job at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Irene eventually went to work at LANL, and they both retired in 1993. Since then, they have spent much of their time traveling and doing things with their family such as visiting Alaska 21 times and taking some cruises.
“We have been to lots of nice places such as Italy, Ireland, Australia, the Caribbean and Fiji,” Bob said.
Bob is a former scoutmaster and has been an active member of the Los Alamos Sportsmen’s Club for many years. Irene belongs to the Peacemaker’s Guild, the Garden Club, and the Funeral Ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Bob said one of the secrets of their long and happy marriage is never going to bed mad. He said Irene has always supported him and has been a good partner.
“She always helped me with any volunteer activities I was involved in. We’re a good team,” he said.
Irene said Bob is easy to get along with and willing to go anywhere with her, especially RVing with their children. She said she loves how he began cooking dinner for them three times a week after they retired.
“You have to give 150 percent in a marriage. I think Bob does and I do, too,” Irene said. “You have to appreciate today. We learned when we lost a son and a daughter-in-law to remember the good things in life and learn from the bad. We are fortunate to be in good health and can enjoy life.”
The Aikins’ oldest son Rob and his wife, Beverly have two children, Amanda and Alex. The second oldest son David and his wife Karen have two children Coleena and Michelle. Their third son, Scott, sadly died in an auto accident. Their fourth son Douglas has three children, Cody, Holly and Cayla. Their daughter, Elizabeth Sturgess has one daughter, Samantha and is married to Richard Sturgess.
Bob and Irene will celebrate their anniversary with a weeklong stay in Breckenridge, Colo., where they will be joined by 22 family members.