Enjoying his new Suzuki Boulevard Motorcycle down a back road two lane highway out of Colfax Washington , Bernie Biddle, 81 yrs young and enthusiastic as ever to continue his work in the name of our Lord and Savior, met with his death. For all that new and loved Dad, you know he met his demise on one of his true loves – The Road – and truth be told he wouldn't want it any other way. Bernard D. Biddle was born into a military family June 1st 1931 in Portage Wisconsin; the second of seven children for Donald and Viola Biddle - thus beginning what he classified as the great adventure "Life". Dad was a self-described stick and bone figure that, like most, starved his way through the depression, but all he could ever recall was fun times with his sisters and all the other army brats. He had a story for every scar collected and you never tired of hearing him recall them.
Bernie enlisted in the Army just shortly after the beginning of the Korean War, receiving his basic training at Camp Cook, CA, before seeing plenty of foxholes and combat in what he called the mud puddles of Korea. Sargent 1st Class Bernie Biddle received an Honorable discharge and marched away from Uncle Sam's Army incredibly proud of his service rendered to the Country. Ever the optimist, Dad never considered Korea as just some place he got shot at but rather the starting point and lucky break needed to eventually meet the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Dorothy Arlene Geyer, who was serving in the Women Auxiliary Corp WAC. Dad and mom married December 30, 1953 in Washington Iowa. This military pride stayed with both he and mom and was rewarded on the many Reunion gatherings they attended with fellow Korean War Veterans at such places as Fort Lewis-Wa, Colorado Springs-CO, San Antonio-TX, and in our Nations' Capital, Washington D.C.. These trips were truly a special time in their retirement. Following military and marriage was a 15 year California adventure that comprised Police work for the city of Garden Grove, roaming the highways of Alameda, Sacramento, and Butte County for the California Highway Patrol, building a Methodist Church in Chico, and starting a booming family with the fathering of six children. Seeking a change of scenery and career Dad moved the family north to Washington State and began his new phase in construction. A short trip to the Tri-Cities from Everett was all he needed to see that the east side of the mountains was going to be home base for the Biddle family. Dad spent the next 20 plus years framing homes throughout the Tri-Cities, and spots around the entire northwest. Being a gopher on the numerous job sites, climbing rafters, picking up nails, burning scrap piles of wood in the freezing cold of winter and getting paid bumpcuss his word – loosely translated, means squat created priceless memories. During some of the slow construction times and when he just couldn't contain that urge to see more open roads he spent countless hours crisscrossing the United States as a long haul trucker. The hidden benefit, he would say, is that he could visit his extended family in Wisc.-TX-Illinois-CA-Florida, etc. and be paid along the way! Bernie's memory was fantastic and his detailed recollection of the roads he travelled would simply amaze us. Dad also made hitch-hiking all over America look easy cheesy. He wouldn't use lack of a steady income as an excuse not to see relatives and friends anywhere they might live; so if he couldn't drive a big ole truck to them, he just stuck out a big ole THUMB. In between work and travel he enjoyed spending time with the Toastmasters, VFW, Volunteering at the Kennewick Senior Center, trying his hand at multiple arts and crafts, amateur photography, wood carving, earning his pilot's license, gardening and traveling with mom; but nothing ever supplanted spending time with all the grandkids and great-grandkids. The last chapter of his life was as a widower devoted to his wife's memory, reconnecting with extended family and friends across the country and most specifically in his daily walk with the Lord. If Bernie were here writing this we are confident he would want to thank the incredibly gracious and loving circle of friends he gained through The Garden Christian Assembly, Christian Motor Cycle Association, VFW, Facebook, and travels throughout this great country for enhancing his life, both spiritually and emotionally. Bernie will be missed by all and is survived by his children and grandchildren: Frank Biddle Jenny Gregg, Sarah-Rachel-Dan-Nick Biddle, Donald Biddle, Barbara Butler Stan Amber Vrieze, Amanda Rhoades, Chelsea Butler, Brenda Freeze RonCody-Brad-Jay-Kim Freeze, Brian Biddle TereseMichael-Kevin-Joseph Biddle, Niva Cameron Mac Cameron and 20 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Donna Delashmutt, Betty O'Brien, and Cleo Coonfare. Bernie is preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy Biddle, baby twins Ruth & Mark Biddle, Father Donald William Biddle, Mother Viola Dryer Biddle, Brother Johnnie Biddle, and sisters Joanne Fite, and Rita Boller.
Please join us in a Celebration of Life this coming Saturday, September 29th, at "The Garden Christian Assembly" on Clearwater Avenue, Kennewick-WA. The Celebration will begin at 1pm, and will include a potluck lunch. A motorcycle procession to Sunset Gardens Cemetery-Richland will begin at 2:45 p.m. with a Graveside Military Service starting at 3:30 p.m.
At the Family's request and in lieu of flowers, any donation considered should be provided to Pastor Tom Fields and the Garden Christian Assembly, 7425 West Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 509.735.1650/888.735.1650