Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

[dewhitaker]

Dear Tribe,

On behalf of the Bixler Family, we are sad to report that Bruce lost his long battle with cancer today at 12:33 PM, surrounded by family.

Bruce was the long time President of the Taylorcraft Owners Club. He has served as one of the original Directors of the Taylorcraft Foundation. Also was serving as Vice - President of the Minerva Flying Association.

Arrangements are being handled by Sharer - Stirling - Skivolocke Funeral Home http://www.sharerfuneralhome.com/html/welcome.html

Forrest Barber will post further information as it becomes available.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

Thank u so much for the posting as we discussed ; I sent this out to our Barber Airport Users group:

While flying over the funeral procession of Mary Jane Johnson ( one of the last surviving Taylorcraft Old-Timers) at 12:33PM today May 11th we learned of the death of Bruce Bixler.
Bruce has been a fixture around here ; Martin Field and Minerva. Bruce aka " Barney" was the President of the Taylorcraft Owner's Club and an original Director of the Taylorcraft
Foundation. His fine family has been in touch and at the moment we know that his courageous battle with the big "C" is over. Rest In Peace my friend .

Arrangements are pending at the Sharer Sterling Skivolocke Funeral home right across from the Castle on S. Union. keep checking back with them:
http://www.sharerfuneralhome.com/html/obits.html I do know that there will be a cremation and Memorials late next week. YES we will do a Gone West at that time .

God Bless all the family ; Jim Bixler is keeping us informed and I have spoken with Gardi .... More when I get it.....

12809 Greenbower St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601 is the family home. bye Forrest

We have lost a "true believer" ; more when the tears go away !! I think I will go fly my Taylorcraft.....

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

This is so hard. I can't believe we have lost someone so central in our group. He was one of the central figures who pulled us all together. We have all lost a member of the family who can never be replaced.
We all are with the family in our sorrow. So many of us owed him so much.
Smooth air and clear sky Bruce. Save us a place at the table.
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. I will always remember meeting him at Alliance in 2007 at the fly-in.

[paulnuss]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

I too am very sad to hear about Bruce. I think I met him first in the mid 70's. He always was a central part of the Taylorcraft Owners Club and wrote the newsletter so many years, took care of Club membership, etc. I extend my condolences to his family and many friends. -Paul

[Robert Lees]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

That is terrible news.

I knew Bruce when I became a novice Taylorcraft owner back in the nineties, and he produced his rather marvelous Owner's Club newsletter that was of great inspiration to me to learn more about Taylorcraft ownership and maintenance. He willingly and patiently answered my letters (and later emails) about Taylorcraft matters.

In the early 2000's I visited him and Forrest at the Alliance fly-ins.

Please pass on my best wishes to his next of kin from the Taylorcraft owners here in the UK.

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

I have been in close touch with the family of course and they have finalized arrangements . A Gone West will be done at a later date over a memorial at his home . I will add the present arrangements later today.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

Here is the latest : obit from the Alliance Review this morning . Family is doing well, we all know Bruce will have no more suffering.


Bruce M. Bixler II


On May 11, 2012, surrounded by his wife and loving family in his home, after a valiant fight with lymphoma cancer, Bruce M. Bixler II departed on his final earthly flight and landed in the arms of Jesus.
Bruce was the loving husband to Hildegard "Gardi" (Taylor) Bixler, whom he married on June 12, 1971, and with whom he celebrated 40 years of marriage.
Among his many accomplishments, Bruce was the proudest and most loving father to his three children: oldest son, James Bruce (Jennifer) Bixler; and twins, Joshua M. (Jen) Bixler and Juliette H. (Joseph) Bixler-Gatts. His favorite role became "Poppy" to his seven grandchildren: Marta, James and Becca Bixler, Noah and Michael Bixler, and Taylor and Tessa Gatts.

He was born Feb. 14, 1949, and was a graduate of Louisville High School and Ashland University.
Bruce was a lover of all things aviation. His passion and love for flying was shared with all he met. Some of his most treasured memories and times were spent flying with his sons in his Taylorcraft.
He was the president of the Taylorcraft Owners Club for years, and an active member of EAA Chapters 82 and 147 and FLY4HIM.

Mr. Bixler retired from the Canton City Health Department.
Bruce is survived by his wife and children; brothers, Doug Bixler and Steve Bixler; sisters, Susan Bixler and Joanne Bixler-Clifton; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and beloved friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce M. Bixler and Elizabeth E. (Rees) Bixler.
The family would like to thank Dr. Schmotzer and the staff at Morning Star Oncology, all the nurses, "angels" and staff of Aultman Hospital Memorial 6 South, Aultman Infusion staff, Chaplain Kathleen Schen and Aultman Hospice for their amazing care, love, compassion and comfort shown to Bruce and his family.

Bruce requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and that you do something special with your family and loved ones and treasure those moments.
Please join us for a celebration of Bruce's life, loves and accomplishments at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Marlboro Christian Church, with Pastor Ed Harnish officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012, at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home.
Arrangements are by Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home, 1000 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601. This obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent to the family online at www.sharerfuneralhome.com. (5-15-12)
As I mentioned before , their will be a Memorial "Gone West" Flight of Taylorcrafts in the near future over his home and his landing field... share your thoughts on the web site here or on the funeral home site. DIRECT TO HIS OBIT : http://www.funeralquestions.com/obit...ting_id=184262

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

I saw this a couple of days ago when checking in. I can still hear the sound of his voice in my head. So much looked forward to and reading the newsletters he would send out. It was always a treat to open up and read. A ritrual for me from the time I saw it in the mailbox. He summarized what owning and flying a Taylorcraft meant better than any one I can remember. I came REAL close to purchasing his 45 BC12D when he was finished flying it...some time in 1995 or 96 as I recall. It would have been my first Airplane . Did not get a Taylorcraft till 97 or 98. He had a real gift and I am glad he shared it as our club president and editor of a " real get in the mail newsletter". Time changes and marches on...... He will be missed God Speed Bruce.

[robbie]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

I remember Bruce at Type tent doing Eaa flyins. I to looked forward the the news letters, he did a great job.
We talked about his new exhaust system and how long it was going to last. Good by friend, save me a spot at the Taylorcraft table.

[tcraft]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

Adios Bruce! Thanks for all you did, and you will be long remembered!

[Buell Powell]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

Really sad about losing Bruce. He was so much help to me and others with restoring our planes or anything else. Those newsletters he sent out were the best---I still look back at them for information sometimes.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

Just saw this, God Speed Bruce.

[R&M Barnes]

Re: Bruce Bixler 5/11/2012

Been out of the loop and just saw this as well. We remember his help and advice over the phone when our project was just getting started a loooonnnnng time ago.
More love and thoughts to family and friends.
Blue skies, smooth grass and tailwinds, Bruce.