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.

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Are we having more brain tumors now-a-days?