Roland Kickbush

Former Anchorage resident Roland Gene "Kick" Kickbush, 83, died peacefully June 25, 2009, in a California care facility. He was born May 25, 1926, in Osterdock, Iowa, to Lloyd and Ethel Kickbush. He was a graduate of Stout Institute, Menominee, Wis., and became a vocation education teacher in California and Alaska. Once a year, Roland interviewed teachers from the Lower 48 to fill positions for the Career Center in Anchorage. Roland and his wife, Alaska artist Joan Arend Kickbush, built their first home in Anchorage in 1960 with members of their families helping. Roland loved flying his airplane to villages in Alaska while Joan sketched on her pad to capture the scene and children playing. She later finished paintings back in her studio. Their favorite village was Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island. They enjoyed flying over the Alaska Highway, traveling home to Wisconsin. At night, they slept under the wing of the plane and enjoyed wildlife and beautiful scenery. He kept busy matting and framing paintings done by his wife, Joan, who preceded him in death on June 16, 2006. He loved hunting bear, moose, salmon fishing, golfing and his airplane. He enjoyed showing horses in Alaska and won blue ribbons and trophies. He retired, leaving Anchorage in 1978 for Bend, Ore., Borrego Springs, Calif., and Carefree, Ariz., with Joan painting and sculpting and Roland ranching. "Roland was a man of incredible integrity. His infectious smile and friendly, outgoing personality won everyone's heart," his family wrote. He is loved and remembered by sisters Phyllis Craig and Rita Raychel (Edward); in-laws, Albert Kickbush, Jan Arend Clark and Jay Arend (Amy); 24 nephews and nieces; and friends and all who were blessed to know him. The family wishes to thank the caregivers and Hospice for their support, which was so appreciated.