Roy “B” Rose was born in Wareham, Massachusetts September 25, 1937, to Manuel B. Rose and Caroline Ferreira. He spoke fondly of his days in Massachusetts, telling stories about cranberry bogs and fried quahogs. 

Roy moved to San Francisco where he attended Mission High School before joining the US Navy at the age of 17. He served as a celestial navigator and achieved the rank of Chief Quartermaster after 10 years. Roy served aboard the USS Ticonderoga, USS Sacramento, USS Denver, USS Okinawa, USS Molala, and the USS Midway. In 1971 he was aboard the USS Okinawa when it recovered Apollo 15. Roy calculated the landing coordinates within 1/8th mile of its actual landing, getting even closer than NASA’s calculations at the time, because his factored in wind direction. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Carmen Rose, and together they had five children—Barbara, Melinda, Martha, Roy, and Marie Caroline. In 1984, Roy retired from the Navy and began a successful career as a sportfishing captain. When he wasn’t fishing for work, he fished for fun and could often be found surf fishing with Carmen in Coronado or Imperial Beach. His house was filled with photos of his catches, his kids with his catches, and eventually, his grandkids with his catches. 

Roy was known for always having a story to tell—and for telling it even when no one was around to listen. Roy passed away at his home on February 23, 2025, due to complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which he acquired after serving in the Vietnam War. Roy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, captain, sailor, and Chief. He is survived by his children, Barbara, Melinda, Martha, Roy, and Marie Caroline, as well as many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His last wishes were to be laid to rest with his wife, Carmen, who passed away at home on October 9, 2026.