Bruno Erhard Klingbeil, Born: Near Lodz, Poland, January 18, 1923; Died: Kamloops, BC, Canada, September 29, 2009, Age: 86.

Cause of Death: A mercifully brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Location of Death: Kamloops Hospice, 72 Whiteshield Crescent South, Kamloops, BC.

Surviving Immediate Family: Wife, Marlyn of Kamloops, BC; daughter, Lois & her partner Dexter Spivak of Vancouver, BC; son, Karl & his partner Louise Kotani of Kamloops, BC; & brothers, John of Kelowna, BC, Werner of Cleveland, OH, & Norman of Peterborough, ON.

Bruno immigrated to Canada from the East Prussian region of Poland in 1926 at the age of three with his parents, Ludwig & Ella Klingbeil. They originally settled in the small town of Meadowview, Alberta, northwest of Edmonton & later the family moved to New Sarepta. His father arrived in Canada as a teacher, and then attended the seminary in Saskatoon to become a Lutheran minister serving the surrounding communities. Three brothers joined the family - the twins John & Werner in 1932 & Norman in 1935. At the age of 13, Bruno became the main provider for his family & de facto father figure for his younger brothers, when Ludwig died suddenly of a stroke.

After initially being turned down for enlistment at the age of 17, Bruno finished high school in Leduc, Alberta & joined the RCAF at the age of 19 in 1942. He was stationed at Pat Bay, near Victoria, BC for the duration of WWII, serving as a wireless air gunner & navigator while flying reconnaissance missions up & down the British Columbia coast.

Bruno met the love of his life, Marlyn (Lyn) Brawn, at one of the many dances sponsored for servicemen at the Pat Bay air force base. Bruno & Lyn were married in 1945 at her mother's home in Victoria. Soon after, he received his officer's commission & the young couple embarked on the peripatetic existence of a career airman. Postings included Edmonton, Fort Nelson, Ottawa (twice), Biloxi, Winnipeg, Montreal, & North Bay. During that time, they were joined by two children, Lois in 1954 & Karl in 1959.

Bruno's retirement from the armed forces at the age of 45 meant embarking on a second career as a stock broker with Pemberton Securities in Kamloops, BC. The move to Kamloops in 1969 was the result of careful research into climate (arid) & sport fishing opportunities (ample). The community also provided fine opportunities for the pursuit of golf in summer & curling in winter. One of his proudest achievements was overseeing the design & the construction of their custom home in 1982, perched high on the hillside at the edge of the Peterson Creek ravine with panoramic views of the park & valley below. After retirement from Pemberton's at the age of 65, Bruno & Lyn pursued their shared passions for trout & salmon fishing in the summer & fall, followed by travel south to Arizona & Mexico for several months in winter.

Throughout his life, Bruno loved to sing & contributed his rich baritone/bass voice variously to barbershop quartets, church choirs, & community concert events. He became well known in Kamloops for his choral pursuits & was invited to sing at many events, both celebratory & solemn.

A devout Lutheran, Bruno was a long time parishioner of the Hills of Peace Lutheran Church, serving as cantor & very involved choir member.

Bruno will forever be remembered as a loving husband & father, sportsman, raconteur, & singer of the first order.
The family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Kamloops Hospice Association.

A memorial service & reception will be held at the Hills of Peace Lutheran Church, 695 Robson Drive, Kamloops, BC on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 2:00pm.