ROBERT L. MOTZKUS

Robert L. Motzkus died at home on Jan. 13, 2004, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on July 22, 1928, in Bremerton, Wash., to William and Freda Motzkus.

He attended school in Bremerton and graduated from Bremerton High School in 1947. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed first in Biloxi, Miss., before being sent to Eielson AFB, where he served for two years. He was honorably discharged in 1949.

He returned to Alaska in 1960, lived in Anchorage, and eventually entered into Civil Service on Fort Richardson, where he worked in the motor vehicles division until his retirement in 1983. He then moved to Wasilla and built a home on Wasilla Lake. He spent his retirement years sharing outdoor adventures with his wife, family, extended family, and many friends.

A celebration of life and pot-luck will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Palmer. His ashes will be scattered at the Little Susitna River later this year, during fishing season.

He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 24 years; his son and daughter-in-law Craig and Jayna of Boise, Idaho; his daughter and son-in-law Karen and Sal Cinquegrani of Anchorage; his daughter and son-in-law Lynne and Dee Woods of Sutton; his daughter and son-in-law Lori and Pat Lyman of Wasilla; and his son and daughter-in-law Larry and Barbara Leppanen of Sutton. He is survived by grandchildren Angelina and Gianna Cinquegrani, Chelsea and John "LJ" Leppanen, Deon MacMillan and her husband Tavis, Marnice Marshall and her husband Darrin, Russell Woods and his wife Kris; and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Motzkus had a wide knowledge of and love of the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, which he shared with his many friends and family throughout his 44 years in Alaska. He was an expert welder and craftsman who loved giving gifts of his custom-made camping and outdoor gear.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.