John W. Bird

John W. Bird passed away October 25, 2024. We are comforted to know that he has gone from being in the presence of friends and family to being in the presence of his beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is safe, and at peace.

John was born in April 1931, to Robert and Hazel Bird, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a voracious reader. Among his favorite topics were history and science fiction. He learned about civil engineering from reading, and when he was in high school, wrote a paper stating he wanted to be a civil engineer. For years, he had his private pilot's license and loved flying his Cessna.

John started working, when he was 8 years old. He would mow lawns or shovel snow. He often worked more than one job, including setting bowling pins, and ushering at a theatre. When he was about 15 years old, he started working as a construction laborer. He learned a great deal from the contractor he worked with, and remained friends with him for the rest of his life. He graduated from North High School in 1949 and then started the Civil Engineering program at the University of Minnesota. He continued to work construction during the summers to pay for his school.

In March 1951, John enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed Boot Camp at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. After which, he was transferred to Fort Shafter, where he learned radio work, including how to build a radio. From there he went to Fort Sill, where he was part of the 4th Army (Artillery). After receiving an honorable discharge, John returned to college and graduated in 1956, with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. After graduation, John worked for the railroad, and later, the City of St Paul, Minnesota. He continued his education in the same field, earning his Masters degree from the University of Minnesota in 1964, and his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno about 1970.

John worked for the Nevada State Contractors Board while studying for his Ph.D. After graduating, he worked part time for the State Contractors Board and Part time as a Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. He then taught full time at the University of Nevada, Reno for the next 30 years. He was involved with the Student Chapter that included annual week long trips to see major and minor construction projects. He was also involved in a CoOp with the local Highway Department, where students could work summer internships. John was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and involved in the annual concrete canoe races.

While John was a student at the University of Minnesota, he was in a surveying class that had a project near Lake Pokegama, near Grand Rapids, MN. While there, he met his sweetheart, Janet Sue Pade, and married her on August 19, 1956. They moved to Reno, Nevada in 1964 and to Sparks, Nevada, in 1966, where they remained since then.

John's first passion in life was his faith. He was a devoted father to his four children, John, Jerry, Jinnine, and Janet. He taught them good, strong work ethics, and to respect others, with the understanding that even though people were different, they were equally of value to God and us. He encouraged his children in every study and activity they did, and was eager to help anyone whenever an opportunity arose.

John is survived by his son John, daughter-in-law Gina, and daughters Jinnine, and Janet. He is also survived by his sister Joan Atkinson, of Zumbrota, Minnesota, many nieces, nephews, and seven grandchildren: Michelle (Brian), Stephanie (Jesse), Johnny, Joshua (Raika), Sonja, Travis, and Taylor. He is preceded in death by his wife Janet Sue, and his son Jerry.

John will be deeply missed by all who loved him. We will remember his bright smile, handle bar mustache, story telling, quick wit, and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held November 16, 2024 at 11:00 am, at Community Bible Church, 385 Gentry Way, Reno, NV 89502. A reception / lunch will follow the service. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be available via video livestream the day of the service at https://www.sermonaudio.com/broadcasters/cbcreno/.

John's ashes, along with his wife's ashes, will be interred at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 14 Veterans Way, Fernley, Nevada 89408, on Friday November 15th at 1:00 pm.