Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Andris Bilmanis Obituary

BILMANIS, ANDRIS

On September 5, 2003 of Newburg, MD; he is survived by his wife, Erika Bilmanis; sons, Robert (Anna Maria) Bilmanis, Juris George Bilmanis, Andris (Mary Kathryn) Bilmanis, Jr., Janis (Susan) Bilmanis and Ivars Viktors (Tindara) Bilmanis. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren. Friends may call on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the AREHART-ECHOLS FUNERAL HOME, 211 Saint Marys Ave., LaPlata, MD, 20646 where services will be at 8 p.m. Graveside services on Tuesday at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Robert/Alfred Bilmanis Memorial Fund, Chevy Chase Bank, 6200 Chevy Chase Dr., Laurel, MD 20707.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Sep. 7, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Andris Bilmanis

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2022

Dear Dad,
Rest in Peace forever. My thoughts are with you, today would be a great day to be just able to have a conversation. I still miss our Sunday morning discussions / debates.
Love you Dad,
Your Son, Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2021

Dear Dad,
Surviving another difficult year, missing you Dad and Mom. I know that I did not share with you all the time, which I now regret. In being an introvert, I am the same way now with all my acquaintances as well with my Son. Do know this, I loved you and Mom deeply in my own way.
It is the memories that keep me alive today. On this day more so. Rest in peace Dad.
With all my Love,
Your Son,
Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2020

Dear Dad,
You have been in my dreams quite often this past year. This year we all have been living thru a turmoil that I have never witnessed in my life. I have contemplated on how you would respond, ergo my dreams of you. I very much missing having our roundtable discussions at our table in Takoma Park. But you would be proud that at least I am having discussions with my son, Bob Jr. I am also engaging with Janis and Juris on a regular basis, keeping up your traditions of engagement.
It is with great hope, that I may be able to continue with my riding experiences exploring our wonderful and beautiful country next year. It is when I am riding thru the mountains and valleys, the high plains and deserts that I feel connected with life. It is then, when my thoughts and memories of Maria, Mom and you come to life.
Miss you Dad, Love you,
Your Son Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 6, 2019

Dear Dad,
The last couple of years, I have been helping John updating yours and Mom's house on the River. We have also built a large 3 bay garage with a studio. The one great underlying conversation between me and John and Juris were what would Dad do and marveled at your workmanship. We are presently building a new pier and reinforcing the great sea wall that you and all your sons help build. You instilled in all of us a belief in doing the job correctly and as perfect as possible. The great memories of you and Mom were always in the foreground on my mind.
We all miss you and Mom but will never be forgotten. Especially all your Life Lessons.
Miss you Dad, Love You,
Your Son Bob

Juris Bilmanis

September 5, 2019

Dear Dad- Another September 5 is here and many thoughts and memories cross my mind. Your words of encouragement ring in my head. Life does not get easier and challenges abound. What helps me is your example of persevering through the challenges. Thank you for the love you exhibited to mom and each of your five
sons. With love and admiration. Juris

Juris Bilmanis

September 5, 2017

Dear Dad, It is a beautiful day today. I have the luck of being off of work and able to work a bit outside. I was pounding a post in the ground and remembered the many times you lifted a sledge hammer or hammer and drove in a nail. Even though you worked hard you also took time to sit and relax with mom or your family and chat and just enjoy the company. Thank you for the many life lessons passed on. Love, Juris

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2015

Dear Dad,
Time keeps marching on for all of us as you rest in peace. I want you to know of how proud I am of my Son, your first Grandson, Bob Jr. He has followed you in your footsteps in the world of construction involving restoring peoples homes from weather damage. Your life was dedicated in remodeling and building new homes for people. Your Grandson is restoring them also. He has adopted the same idea of complete customer satisfaction, no matter what. Who would believe that your words of wisdom that were relayed to him have come to such good use. Yes you still have tremendous influence on your family.

Miss you Dad, Love You.
Your Son Bob

Juris Bilmanis

September 9, 2014

Dear Dad,
I am always grateful to be reminded of you and your words and memories of your actions. As I go through my perceived difficulties I like to recall the example you set of your fortitude and strength. When you were frustrated at some difficult situation you would say "laugh Rockefellar laugh".
love,
son Juris

September 5, 2014

Dear Dad,

I am always thinking of you, missing you and your wisdom. Rest in Peace Dad.

Love you Dad, your Son Bob

Juris Bilmanis

September 6, 2013

Dear Dad,
I have been reflecting on you more than usual because of the changes we are going through at this time in dealing with the material legacy you and mom left. It is amazing what you both did with your energy and resourcefulness. I agree with Bob, that what is most lasting are the memories we have of the conversations, thoughts, and experiences we had with you. Thank you for that! I miss you.
love,
your son,
Juris

Mom and Dad 3/29/2003

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2013

Dear Dad,
It has been ten years today since your passing, May you Rest in Peace Forever. Life goes on for us that yet walk on this earth. The one thing that I have learned these past few years is that there are only memories of our loved ones that are important. All the material things that we accumulate in our lives are really meaningless in the end.
You are still alive in my head with all of my wonderful memories of you. The real thing that I miss is not being able to have a conversation with you. Our conversations at this time are one way. So be it.

I miss you Dad.
Love you Dad
Your Son, Bob

Andris and Erika wedding photo March 1948

Juris Bilmanis

March 30, 2013

Dear Dad and Mom, Yesterday I was working outside and became nostalgic. On my mind was the fact that March 29 is the anniversary date of yours and Mom's wedding. This weekend also being Easter brought back the memory how you always treated her with a lily at this time. I treasure the wonderful memory
of the love you had for each other.
Love, son Juris

Juris Bilmanis

September 6, 2012

Dear Dad, I miss you very much. There is a loneliness that I go through especially when I try to deal with some aspect of taking care of the property or going through the belongings you and mom gathered over the years. I don't enjoy the prospect of parting from them because you and mom are a part of it all. So many memories! What a rich legacy. I am very grateful for how you instilled in your family with your example that "love" is an action word. In my times of difficulty, I find myself reflecting on how you found strength to persevere. Thank you! love, your son Juris

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2012

Dear Dad,

In this past year on April 5th, my wife, Maria passed away after losing her battle with Alzheimer's the past six years. She has joined you and Mom, may she rest in peace.

Now when I go to visit, I can pay my respects to the three of you at the same time. These past five months have been very hard for me. I am having a very difficult time accepting the loss of my dear wife. I do not believe that you or anyone else could have said anything to me to ease the pain. I do believe it just will take time.

I miss you Dad.
Love you Dad,
You're Son, Bob.

Juris Bilmanis

September 6, 2011

Dear Dad,
Another September has arrived and my thoughts have been returning to my memories of you and the times we have shared as a family and my own personal exchanges with you. I feel very fortunate as I believe my brothers do that you could make each of us feel a special bond in connecting with you.
This past year, I have had to draw upon the inspiration you left me of being strong in the face of what seems to be insurmountable mountains. I remember your quoting a phrase "laugh, Rockefeller, laugh!" It helps knowing, your and mom's history as you raised your family in the midst of hardships.
Your strength and fortitude still serve as an inspiration. Thank you very much!
One bright note to share is there is a lovely addition to the Bilmanis family. Your grandson Aleksis and his wife Lisa have brought into the world Alyson Rose. I look forward to getting to know her.
Aleksis is doing great in his career of writing, playing and teaching music. Daniel is enjoying his teaching job. He has also found time to begin a relationship with a young woman named Karisa.
For myself, I have enjoyed a special relationship with a woman I met a year before Mom passed away. Her name is Kathy and she is a fun-spirited woman who is pleasure to be around. Mom liked her as well.
For now I want to leave you with the thought that life is going on and that your messages of optimism, love of family, hard work, and doing good to others is alive and well in your family.

Love,
your son Juris

Dad & Mom

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2011

Dear Dad,

In this past year, your wife and my mother joined you on the 25th of September. I know it was her wish for some time. I am glad her suffering has ended, for it was hard on her to continue living.

Now I can visit the both of you together and re-visit all of my wonderful memories of the both of you. Life sure does not get easier as we get older, but revisiting your wisdoms does ease some of the burdens of everyday life.

I just want to say how much I love you both, forever.

Love You Dad,
Your son, Bob

Mother's Day 05/09/2010

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2010

Dear Dad,

Another year of many changes in our lives. The only constant being is that time continues to march on. There was one very memorable moment, Mother’s Day of this year. Without any real planning, your five sons were together with Mom, celebrating. It had been a long time for your family to be all together at the same time. We all celebrated with your favorite, barbeque pork chops.

Yes, you were missed by all of us. I do believe each one of us has learned how to deal with you not being with us physically. You will live in our minds and memories forever as a guiding light that helps us all navigate the many twists and turns in our lives. Your wisdoms are used by all of us in our daily lives.

Today I am visiting your gravesite on my Harley Davidson. It has become a tradition for me to take this yearly trek with my motorcycle, to visit. I have done this every year since 2003.

Love You Dad,
Your son, Bob

Mom and Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2009

Dear Dad,

The years are melting away, like the way your beloved river flows at Woodland Point. At times very calmly, smoothly while other times raging violently in a storm. That is how I feel time passes by in our lives. I have to constantly remind myself that I am powerless over this passage. I only can use your Wisdom and the other people in my life, to try to smooth out the rough passages of time. Yes, I still have you in my thoughts; the memories are not fading away. In fact, with age, it seems that more of my memories of growing up seem to be coming back more often. You and Mom are many times central in these thoughts.

Yes, I and rest of the family do miss you. You were such a great person to have a deep, meaningful conversation or discussion with. It did not matter what the topic was or whether we agreed or disagreed. But, life keeps on marching forward for all of us, and one day we will be where you are. I still to this day miss you, but will always love you for being my father.

Love You Dad,
Your son, Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2008

Dear Dad,

It does not seem that long ago, when I was writing to you. But another year has passed in our lives. You are in my thoughts always. It seems that I think of you more often now, instead of when you were living. It does show to me that we only cherish people when they are not here anymore. This does not sound as a right thing to do. I guess that it is why we should not take life and people that we love for granted. You are still teaching me or reminding me of the right way to live our lives.

As I am getting older, it seems that I do see a dim light in the long distance of a tunnel, which is our own individual life that we lead. I hope that I can finish out my life’s journey as well as you did. You have been my mentor in more ways than one. I still wish that I could have our long discussions about any subject under the sun. You are very sorely missed by all of us.

Love you Dad,
Your son, Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2007

Dear Dad,

It is that time of the year again, your anniversary of passing away. My memories are still very vivid of you and all of our conversations in the past. A day does not go by, that something reminds me of your ways of solving problems and words of wisdom. It is now only that as I grow older, that I truly can understand what you said. I guess it is true that wisdom does come with age and experience’s that one has thru our life’s travels.

I visited your gravesite on Monday, Labor Day, because I knew that I would not be able to see you today on a Wednesday. I drove out on my motorcycle, which I have done the past three years also. It was another perfect September day, without a cloud in the sky.

I surely wish I could talk to you, but that will not happen.

Love you Dad
Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2006

Dear Dad,

Three years have passed. But it only seems like yesterday that I

was talking to you. I visited your gravesite today, and it was a

beautiful day. Your son, Ivars, does a wonderful job of keeping it

up. Thank you Ivars, from me and rest of the family.

I tried to talk to you Dad, even though I know that you can not hear

me. But it does me good to say things that are on my mind. I have

learned that sometimes the answers to problems lie right in front of

us, we just can not see them for looking to hard. But by talking out

loud, we may stumble upon the answer. I always enjoyed using you

as sounding board for ideas and answers.

You are very sorely missed, but you are not lost in my thoughts.

Thank you Dad

I love you

Your son, Bob

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2005

Dear Dad,

Well another year has passed from leaving us physically. But you remain strong as ever in my everyday thoughts. Your wisdom still guides me as I live one day at a time.

Your wife, sons and grandchildren are doing fine. You are sorely missed but remain strong in every body’s hearts and minds. You set a standard by which we all can follow as a guide thru are lives.

I am sure we all will follow your footsteps, strong and with pride, the way you demonstrated as you lived your Life to the fullest.

Thank you for being the greatest Dad in my life, past, present and future.

I love you,

Your son, Bob

Woodland Point

Bob Bilmanis

September 5, 2004

Dear Dad,

It has been year since your passing from our lives. It seems that my memories of you are growing stronger with time. There is not a day that passes by that something reminds me of what you said or did. My early childhood discussions about life and all that encompasses it are replayed as if you were still here talking. I try to listen and follow your words of wisdom to this day, which you had nurtured thru living life to the best of your abilities. You also shared your father’s wisdoms to all of us and attempted to make sure that my grandfather was not forgotten in history.

Being a man of few words, I know that I did not tell you that I Love You as many times that I should have. But I do believe you always knew it to be true. You always were a loving and kind man to all the people around you. You invoked trust from all the people that came in contact with you, which is a formidable trait that you possessed.

I miss you very much Dad!!!
I Love You
Your son, Bob

Janis Bilmanis

October 24, 2003

Dear Dad,

Life is short, but you always reminded me it is not the length so much but what you make of it. You clearly made something of your life.

You made a difference in the lives of all your sons, wives, and grandchildren. Most of all in the life of your wife and our mother. You also made a difference in the community around you through all the hard work you put forth in protecting the environment and building homes for people. You built your own home for you and Mom, as well as built a large part of my home for my wife and children. You also have left a lasting legacy to the world by collecting and organizing the critical historical papers of Alfreds and Roberts Bilmanis to help future generations understand the meaning of freedom.

It hurts to have you gone. It hurts to know the world is without someone like you being around to bring the sanity and stability it needs. From my childhood, I always remember the marathon debates we had at the Sunday morning breakfast table that many times, became the lunch table. You taught me the values I have today for freedom, the human spirit, and family. I hope and pray that I will carry those values forward to my children and those I come in contact with.

Paldies for one last sunset together!!
Priecigus Janudiena !!

Your loving son, Janis

Paul & Luke Malcolm

October 24, 2003

I will remember that my granddad was funny and fun to hang around with. He was always there for me. I like that he was always telling me stories about his life. He will never leave my memory.

Paul

I loved going to my granddad’s house at Christmas. I will never forget the parties we had. I will never forget the time I went to his house and he showed us his project, building a new dock. I had a lot of fun with him, and I will never forget him.

Luke

Betty & Joe Dukert

September 11, 2003

Erika and the boys:

We were so sad to hear from Amelia Cosimano that Andris had passed away. His dedication to high principles, his never-failing cheerfulness, and his quiet humor made each time we met him a source of joy and inspiration.

Juris Bilmanis

September 8, 2003

Dear Dad-As one of your sons, I have a sense of being very privileged and honored to have shared the many wonderful memories of you as not only a loving father but as a mentor in teaching the values and skills of life you so well imparted to me and my brothers. Your strength and character are an inspiration to not only me but to the many people that you came into contact with.
A big hug and a thank you! Paldies!
your loving son, Juris

Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results