John Robert “Bob” Kolstad,

John Robert “Bob” Kolstad, 84, Huntington Beach, Calif., passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2011, in Huntington Beach.

Bob was born in Superior, and attended St. Louis Elementary School and Cathedral High School. At 17 years, Bob served in the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier as a radioman during World War II. After the war, Bob worked in Superior as a railroad telegraph and teletype operator and a ticket agent. He moved to southern California in 1956 and worked with Union Pacific Railway while entering into the oil industry. The oil industry allowed Bob to travel the world and the opportunity to live in England and work throughout Europe and Arab countries. Bob later moved to Edmonds, Wash., and worked in the radio communications industry until he retired.

Bob was a man of many interests. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and travel. He was an avid ham radio operator and loved talking to people around the world. Bob proudly belonged to the Elks Club, the Eagles Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars. In his early California years, Bob worked as a reserve police officer with the Whittier Police Department and later continued working with the Edmonds Police Department in Edmonds, Wash., under a program called “Crime Watch” when he retired.

Bob’s memory is celebrated by his wife of 61 years, Janice (Artcliff) Kolstad, sons John, Bruce and Brian, daughter, Sheila Kolstad Fogelman, along with grandchildren Jaime, Laura, Lisa Kolstad and Alyssa and Garrett Fogleman. Bob was the oldest of four children and is preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Alice (Pomither) Kolstad, brothers, Jimmy and Eugene Kolstad and sister Dorothy Kolstad.

A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Superior at a later date. Bob will be laid to rest at the St. Francis Cemetery in Superior with full military honors. The time and date will be announced at a later time when available this summer.

For more information or to sign the online guest book, visit http://www.kolstadfamilyfuneralhome.com.

If you wish to send a card to the family please send it to the Kolstad Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 160, Centuria, WI 54824.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

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