Paul Franklin Bellows

Paul Franklin Bellows passed on September 30, 2025, having suffered ill health as a result of a fall from the roof in October, 2020.

Paul was welcomed by Jack J. and Mary Geraldine Bellow in Pawnee City, Nebraska on August 2, 1942. Sadly, Paul never knew his Father as Jack, serving with the U.S. Army during WWII, was killed two years later in the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, Gerry and Paul moved to Shafter, Calif. and then to Long Beach, Calif. where Paul attended military school for a year. He credited military school for instilling in him manners, personal discipline and "stick-to-itiveness". He graduated from Banning High School in Long Beach in 1960. In January 1961, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy, entering Fire Control Technician school to master the operation, maintenance and repair of advanced missile and underwater weapons systems on ships. After graduation, he served aboard the destroyer USS Chandler in the Pacific theater and he was honorably discharged in 1965.

Upon leaving the Navy, Paul worked in Long Beach for North American Aviation on the Apollo project. From there, he joined ITT Communications and moved to Oregon to help open ITT's Portland office. When ITT withdrew from business communications, Paul opened his own business, Bellows Communications (BelComNW) serving the communication needs of many companies, including Freightliner and Fought & Company.

Paul earned his private and commercial pilot certificates in California. In the 1980s, he earned his Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic and Inspector Airplane certifications. Paul was a meticulous mechanic. His vintage airplanes were maintained beautifully and he was just as careful with other pilots' aircraft.

Paul met his wife, Vicki Coles, at Evergreen Field in 1980 where she was a Flight Instructor for Mill Plain Flying Service. Their mutual passion for flying became their bond and flying to pancake breakfasts or the "$100" hamburger became the pattern for dates. For many summers they enjoyed flying into the back country of Idaho in his 1953 Cessna 180.

Paul was a "guy's guy". He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gun-smithing, cars/motorcycles and of course, critters. Always the dare-devil, Paul raced motorcycles and motorcycles with side-cars with his buddy, Eric Heczko. Paul and his brother, Bruce Hvass, enjoyed riding motorcycles together and made several camping/fishing trips to Alaska in Paul's C180.

Paul was a lover of projects, problem solving being one of his many talents. Home renovation became a major focus when he and Vicki worked to restore her childhood home in Vancouver to its 1950s glory. They did much of the heavy lifting themselves, including demolishing a 2-inch thick plaster kitchen ceiling (yes, Haz-Mat suits were de rigueur).

Paul's sly humor, quick wit and quiet steadiness will be dearly missed by all who loved him. He is survived by his wife, Vicki, brothers Mark (Barbara) Hvass, Troy (Jan) Hvass, their families and many friends. Paul was pre-deceased by his Mother and brother Bruce.

A celebration of Paul's life will be announced at a later date. Evergreen Memorial Gardens is responsible for arrangements.