Memorials › Leonard Joseph Vrbka

Leonard Joseph Vrbka

28 Jan 1928 – 4 Dec 2010

Birth28 Jan 1928
Death4 Dec 2010
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209936808

Bio

Leonard was born on a farm near Surprise, Neb. to Joseph and Tillie (Sedlak) Vrbka. The third of seven children, his early years were spent on a Midwest farm during the Great Depression. After graduating from Shelby High School, Leonard worked at a large ranch near Burwell, Neb. He awoke at the crack of dawn, mounted his horse "Shorty" and with a knapsack on his back, checked the fences and windmills on the ranch. He returned to the bunkhouse, happy but tired, having lived the dream of many young boys. As soon as Leonard reached 18 years of age, he enlisted in the ArmyAir Corps. He attended bombsight mechanic and automatic pilot repair school. He was honorably discharged in 1949. While in the service, he spent many months in New Mexico. Following completion of his military service, Leonard spent a summer in Alaska at the invitation of his sister Evelyn and her husband Pat. This summer of adventure offered many opportunities to a Midwest farm boy. After his return to Nebraska and marriage proposal to Lois Suddarth, Leonard and Lois decided to leave the flatlands of Nebraska and move to Fairbanks, where they have spent their lives enjoying the adventures and opportunities Alaska offered them. Initially he suggested to Lois that when they retired they might consider moving to New Mexico, but over the years that desire waned, and Leonard enthusiastically lived in Alaska the rest of his life. A gregarious and social man, Leonard particularly loved the Alaska outdoors, and had numerous hunting and fishing adventures. September was his favorite time of year due to the opening of moose hunting season. Leonard retired in 1982 after 30 years of civil service with the federal government. He worked as a heavy equipment operator, first at Ladd Field, and then after 1964, at Eielson Air Force Base. Retirement years were busy with travel, gardening and even more outdoor activities. During his retirement years he avidly collected and repaired antique clocks. Despite declining health due to advanced Parkinson's disease, which necessitated his move into the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home in 2007, Leonard maintained a positive smile and continued to enjoy his time with family and friends. Preceded by: Brother: Ray Vrbka Brother-in-law: Pat Patterson Survived by: Wife of 58 years: Lois Daughter: Geraldine (Charles) Collins Siblings: Evelyn Patterson, Betty Vrbka, Dr. Don (Margaret) Vrbka, LaVerne (Pauline) Vrbka, Robert and Dorothy Vrbka, and Gary and Candace Vrbka. Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home Fairbanks, Alaska Dec 2010

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