Bernard Kasparek

Bernard Jerome (Bernie) Kasparek, 81, completed his life on Saturday December 12th after a month of hospice.  His years were cut short by cancer but he ended life on his own terms.  He was a 47-year resident of Port Orchard. A first-generation Czech American, Bernie was raised in Nebraska with nine siblings during depression times, learning to live off the land and play in the hay bales.  His family moved to Oregon where he completed high school.  Bernie entered the army in 1950 and shipped out for Korea.  Fortunately, he returned in one piece, ending his military career in 1953. Bernie married Leona (Lee) Smith in Newark, NJ, on September 1, 1955, and they settled in Corvallis OR.  Bernie attended Oregon State University while working nights at a local plywood plant, attaining degrees in both engineering and business.  Following the birth of first child Gregory, the family moved to Port Orchard in 1962 where daughters Diane and Kathleen were born. On graduation, Bernie found work first at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and later at the Bangor ammunition Depot, POMFPAC, finally completing his career at Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific in 1987.  In 1976 Lee died in a car crash, leaving Bernie the sole-caregiver to his children. In retirement, Bernie bowled regularly and tended his 12 acres with assistance from a string of dog companions.  He enjoyed growing flowers and vegetables, harvesting blueberries, apples and plums and especially tomatoes, as well as hunting and fishing.  There were many trips to California and Seattle to help his children move through their life stages, as well as family trips to Europe and the Czech Republic to find relatives and family friends. Bernie lived a determinedly simple, frugal life, but gave generously of himself.  He was immensely capable, able to build or fix most anything, and he used his skills to help out his children and grandchildren immeasurably.  At 78 he spent weekends in Seattle helping daughter Diane and family install radiant heating, or trimming tree branches to make way for power lines.  Though he was fiercely independent, it was clear his feelings for others ran deeply. His family are fond of him and will miss him greatly.  Survived by son Greg, daughters Diane (Rob Fellows) and Kathleen, grandchildren Chris Kasparek, Eva and Stevie Fellows, brothers Ed, Ted and Al Kasparek, sisters Martha Billings, Mary Dowless, Pat Kasparek and Angie Tietz.. Rosary will be held at 9:30am on Tuesday, December 22nd at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 1150 Mitchell Ave., Port Orchard, with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Sunset Lane Memorial Park in Port Orchard, returning for a reception at St. Gabriel Catholic Church.