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BORN
1930
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Robert Bielefeld Obituary
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Star of the North Lutheran Church in Kenai. Pastor Corbie Cross will officiate. His cremated remains will be scattered over Mt. Redoubt at a later date.
Bob was born Nov. 1, 1930 in Anaheim, California. He graduated from Anaheim Union High School and attended Orange Coast College. Bob served in the U.S. Navy for a year and then in the Naval Reserves for 2-3 years. He took a leave of absence from General Petroleum in 1955 to drive to Alaska, returning to California with a desire to move to Alaska someday. He moved to Kenai in December 1959 and worked for Coastal Drilling. Bob learned to fly beginning in 1958 in Chico, California. In 1961, he began flying as the owner and operator of Kenai Aviation.
Bob taught many, many people to fly and issued several hundred pilots licenses as a designated Pilot Examiner. Throughout his career he traveled all over Alaska and even parts of the Lower 48. After he was not able to keep his pilot's medical certificate, Bob continued to work in his business, right up until the last week of his life.
Bob was a member of Star of the North Lutheran Church. He had received the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Pioneer Award and was an "Alaskan Aviation Legend" in the Alaska Air Carrier's Association in 2015. Bob also served on the Kenai City Council in the early 1970s.
He loved gardening, especially growing strawberries and tulips.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Norma T. Bielefeld, and brothers, Edward, Richard and William "Bill" Bielefeld.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, James Bielefeld and Karen Hartley-Bielefeld of Kenai; daughter, Julia Bielefeld of Anchorage; brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Rose Bielefeld of Stockton, California; sisters and brother-in-law, Kathleen Smith of Fallbrook, California and Elouise and Carl Andresen of Anchorage.
Rather than flowers, please send donations to the Peninsula Food Bank or the Challenger Center of Kenai.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Bielefeld
Corky & Phyllis Martin
May 14, 2019
There has not been a day go by this past year that we do not continue to mourn our dear friend Kenai Bob. We became good and close friends in 1966. He flew us around Alaska and especially during the summer across the inlet to Tamara's fish camp. I cherish the pictures that we took that one beautiful day, he flew over to camp early that morning and spent the day with us. He was not just a friend. He was family. He treated us as family. He watched my granddaughter Molly grow up from an infant to a young woman. Just the look in his eyes when he saw one of us, you could feel the love he had for us. We will forever miss him. we will see him again one day.
till then We love you Bob and Jim and Julie.
Barry Thomson
June 12, 2016
A true gentleman. I first met him when he flew my family and I from Anchorage in the 206 when we first arrived in Alaska. A great pilot and instructor when I bought a PA-18 and encouraged my love of flying. He also taught my daughter to fly.
Sadly missed.
Mike Bauer
June 10, 2016
Bob will be missed. Didn't know him that well. He Always had a smile and made me smile. Very happy to have met him!
Matthew Belgum
June 2, 2016
Bob was a wonderful man, he and I hit it off right off the bat like we had known each other for years, I will miss him he was one of a kind.
Jerry Cartee & Farol Dahmen
June 1, 2016
Jim and Family.
Bob was a true "gentle giant" and a class act. Those of us that were fortunate enough to be involved in his is life in a small way were truly blessed. Your dad was so very proud of you for coming home to carry on his Legacy. The couple of hours I was able to spend with him in his office in 2014 will forever be in my memory. A special moment in time. God Bless you and your family.
Krystal DB
May 31, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort hear your heart-broken prayers and provide you with much needed comfort during the difficult days and weeks ahead (Isaiah 42:10).
May 29, 2016
so glad I chose Bob to teach me to fly plus he was a great guy
Marcia Kardatzke
May 28, 2016
Bob was a real stand up guy...so sorry for you loss. I am sure he and Mike are in Heaven discussing flying stories...
Dionne
May 28, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. - Ecco.7:1
May 27, 2016
Jim and Family,
My sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your Dad Bob. He was a wonderful man always with a huge smile and wonderful stories. I flew with Bob a number of times and he was always a great pilot. Sorry for your loss.
Allen Graff
May 27, 2016
Bob touched many lives. How surprised I was when he took a sissors and cut a chunk from my shirt following my first solo flight. He was highly entertained that I didn't know about the tradition and wore one of my favorite shirts. Small price to pay though, and it has been wonderful to know Bob.
morris brown
May 27, 2016
A wonderful man. He gave me a break when no one else would.Will never forget him.
Lynn Moeller
May 26, 2016
Jim &family,
Our sympathy to you in the loss of your Dad. We heard so any good things about him from our Alaska friends last summer when we were in Kenai. You also shared some stories with us while on our flight seeing plane ride with you , and we learned some of your Nebraska ties. What a kind generous man he must have been.
Thinking of you,
Lynn and Jeannine Moeller
Hooper, Nebraska
Mike Bennett
May 26, 2016
I haven't lived in Kenai for a few years, but Bob is the first person I think of when I think of my time there.. If he wasn't flying he would be there at his office and always happy to see me and talk most any time.. If he needed to fly somewhere he would invite me along.. It was commonplace for him, but such a big deal for me! Once he took me on a "RKR" over in Tyonek. Stuff like that is priceless to me,, I'm sure most of the town has memories like that.. Let's all celebrate his life!!!!
Jean Wykis
May 26, 2016
Bob flew me to Tyonek when I was teaching there in 1980-82. He was a very delightful person and I enjoyed every trip with him. He was an expert flying into Tyonek battling the crosswinds!
Dan Przywojski
May 26, 2016
One of the most thoughtful, kind and polite persons I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Bob flew our Schlumberger crews all over Alaska in the 70's and 80's. What an example he was to all of us. Bob, you will be missed. Jim, I am sorry for your loss....your father was "one of a kind".
May 26, 2016
My sincere sympathy to your family. May the God of all comfort be with your family in your time of grief.
Andy Lovett
May 26, 2016
Jim and Karen. Bob has been a part of Kenai since I can remember. My father spent many hours with him, flying, telling stories and doing things together. He was so kind to our family when Dad passed and we are ever grateful for the friendship they had. Bob was a stand up guy, always true to himself and helped others, a good friend to all and will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers for your family during this time of grief.
May 26, 2016
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms. 119:76.
Gina Eskew
May 25, 2016
My Mom Frances Gibson (deceased 2013) always spoke very highly of him and his wife when we were growing up. She was also from Anaheim High School. I'm sorry for your loss here on earth, he will be missed; but welcomed in heaven by so many.
Gina (Gibson) Eskew
Greg Kauffmann
May 25, 2016
Dear Julie very sad to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.....
Monte Kanta
May 24, 2016
I started flying in 1988 using Bobs Cessna 150 8345Mike.I remember my instructor Doug Lockwood speaking with such respect when ever he mentioned Bob. Over the years I got to know Bob well and my respect & affection for him has been off the charts since that time. Over the years I enjoyed stopping by and picking Bobs brain on flying. He would always try to change the conversation to drilling rigs, which next to flying might have been his favorite subject. My thoughts and prayers are with Jim and the rest of Bobs family. Bob will be greatly missed by me and everyone that knew him.
Anaheim Alumni Association
May 24, 2016
"Once A Colonist, Always A Colonist"
Phyllis and Corky Martin
May 24, 2016
May God bless you Jim and Julie. You have suffered a great loss. You were such a blessing to him by sticking by him at Kenai aviation. He told Tamara that and said he was happy that you would now be able to pursue your own dreams. You already know the love we had for Bob and that we have for you. You can always count on the Pellegroms and the Martins for anything. We love you dearly.
Tim Ophus
May 24, 2016
Sorry Jim of your loss, he was a very great man, always kind. I send you and your family my condolences. He will be missed by many. Keep up the good work that your Father so loved and built.
Mary A
May 24, 2016
I am sending my sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort in this thought found at Isaiah 61:1,2 which reads in part" God sent his son to bind up the brokenhearted and to comfort those who mourn."
May 24, 2016
I am sorry for your loss. May prayer comfort you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
Shannon Hanley
May 24, 2016
Bob taught me to fly, and gave me many opportunities to see this great state. Friend, mentor, guide, comforter when I landed in a tree, he has and always will have a special place in my heart.
May 24, 2016
"My deepest condolences to the family during this most difficult time. Please know that God is near to comfort all who are mourning. He will make you firm and he will make you strong." (1 Peter 5:10)
OH - Kansas City, Mo.
May 23, 2016
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings....
Thanks Bob, for all the hanger chats and greats flights.
May your skies be smooth and friendly.
Larry Daugherty
May 23, 2016
What an amazing guy! Amazing life! I was blessed to know Bob and will miss him. My condolences to his amazing family.
May 23, 2016
Bob will be missed. Blessing to the family.
Lisa Hall
May 23, 2016
Bob flew me back and forth from Tyonek throughout the five years I taught there. He was such a nice man. I always felt safe with Bob flying. He was very professional. God bless his family and may the Lord bring peace to them all. God bless Bob on his journey home.
Nancy Amundson
May 22, 2016
Julie, Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Hope your memories of all the good times and love shared will help you through it.
May 21, 2016
Julie and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. ~Karin Evans
Merick Ahlberg
May 21, 2016
Bob was truly a great and kind man. The skills he passed on to me and the many other will so be cherished. Strong as an Ox, his work ethic is something to strive for, I know I couldn't keep up with him. The man the legend the mentor, Bob Bielefeld with forever be celebrated on the Kenai as a true pioneer.
Larry and Pat Porter
May 21, 2016
A true gentle man with a heart to serve others. He has left very large footsteps in Kenai ...
A man who loved his family, community and avaition.
Our hearts will miss him.
Larry and Pat Porter
Tom Sumey
May 21, 2016
Bob was a true gentleman and a great pilot. He signed me off for my private pilots license.
Rob and Judy Benning
May 21, 2016
Amazing man....friend to many.... Not enough words to express our admiration..
Gene and Jackie Bock
May 21, 2016
It was an honor to have known Bob and to call him a friend. We will hold his memory in our hearts forever.
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Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory - Kenai5839 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, AK 99611
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