Robert H. (Bob) Bickerstaff went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on 21 October 2018, at home surrounded by family. He was 99 years, 10 months and 9 days old but he considered himself already 100 years with the 9-month head start.
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Bob was born 12 December 1918 in Brocton, NY, to Robert Sidney Bickerstaff and Alice Nellie Frank Bickerstaff. Bob spent his younger years at his Grandfather’s farm in Springville, NY, trapping, hunting and fishing to his heart’s content. He attended Brocton schools and enlisted in the Army October 1940. December 7, 1941, WWII was declared, and he was trained at several duty stations before being deployed to the European Theater. At Camp Gruber, OK, Bob met and married Vivian Bridges, the love of his life, at the First Baptist Church in Muskogee, OK. Rev. W.A. Criswell officiated. The next month he was deployed to England with the 1st Army and invaded France with the second wave on Omaha beach at Normandy. He served in France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia until the European war ended in May 1945. He mustered out of the Army and hitch hiked to Enid from New York City and re-united with his sweet war bride. This was the start of the Bickerstaff Clan. Bob worked in the building trade as a carpenter/craftsman and later as a business owner and General Contractor for Bickerstaff Construction Company.
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Travel was his passion. He and Vivian crisscrossed the USA and Canada in both van and on motorcycle. He remembered every highway number he ever traveled while popping in on family and friends along the way. He not only traveled in the states but everywhere from the Philippines to Scotland and everything in between making friends and memories along the way.
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Bob has been an active and faithful member of the Bible Baptist Church in Enid, OK, since August 1947 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He dearly loved his family, country, church family and friends. Bob was faithful and true in every way to the end.
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He was also active in his community with memberships in the North Enid Lions Club, Enid Garden Club, Crime Stoppers, VFW, Garfield County Election Board and his church.
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He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Vivian, four sisters, two brothers and a great-granddaughter.
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He is survived by four children: Alice Ylitalo and husband Rod, Dan and wife Pam Bickerstaff, Bill and wife Tammy Bickerstaff and Kristy Haws and husband Mike; eleven grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothea Taylor, Willow AK, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
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He will be truly missed by all! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible Baptist Church or Hospice Circle of Love. Special thanks to Dr. Snyder, Hospice, friends and loved ones.
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Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Friday, October 26, 2018, Bible Baptist Church; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation with family is 5:00 to 6:30 PM Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory.
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To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert H. (Bob) Bickerstaff please visit our Sympathy Store.
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Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580)233-2700.
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Obituaries are posted due to the generosity of these sponsors...
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