ANCHORAGE Obituary
Thomas
Bollaert, 57
Anchorage
resident Tom Bollaert, 57, died April 20, 2005, surrounded by
wife, Ann, daughter Amy, and friends at Providence Extended
Care Center. Family said that he fought a "courageous
battle with brain cancer."
A
celebration of life will be in Fairbanks at a later date.
Mr.
Bollaert was born Aug. 20, 1947, in Goshen, Ind., to Frank and
Betty Bollaert. He first arrived in Alaska in 1965, stationed
at Fort Richardson, prior to service
in Vietnam. He fell in love with Alaska, and
returned twice with the military. When he retired from the
military in 1985, as a chief warrant officer, he made Alaska
his home. Until recently, he lived in Fairbanks.
He
went to work for Air Logistics of Alaska as a helicopter
pilot, flying all 800 miles of the trans-Alaska pipeline.
During his career, he worked with the Bureau of Land
Management fighting fires, helped
with the Exxon Valdez oil spill and flying
pipeline security. During his career he received numerous
recognitions and awards.
Daughter
Amy commented, "In a life characterized by bravery, he
was the bravest of us all during his fight with cancer."
Mr.
Bollaert loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, flying
and playing golf. He enjoyed spending quality time with his
youngest grandson, Ayden. He was a skilled craftsman who could
fix anything. He took great pride in designing and building
projects. He was also a Mason and a Shriner.
Mr.
Bollaert is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Tom Jr.;
daughters, Amy, Tammy and Teresa; and their children;
brothers, Ronnie and Kent; and sisters, Sharon, Pam, Debbie
and Dawn.
In
lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be
made in Mr. Bollaert's name to an education account for his
grandson, Ayden Cammaran, at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.
Arrangements
are with Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
adn.com/news/obituaries/story/6467531p-6347368c.html
Are we having more brain tumors
now-a-days? * |