H. Russell Bomhoff Jr.

Bomhoff, H. Russell, 92, loving dad, grandpa, husband, passed away on January 14, 2015 in the comfort of his home. Russell was born June 21, 1922, in Wichita, KS. Upon graduation from East High School, he began working at Beech Aircraft in the experimental department. During World War II he served in Fort Lauderdale, FL as a gunnery instructor. He then returned to Wichita and resumed working at Beech Aircraft. During those years, he became acquainted with Olive Ann Beech while building her interior furnishings for her demonstrator aircraft, which eventually led him to found Precision Pattern Inc. in the garage of his family’s home in southeast Wichita in 1952. Shortly after, he rented a building at 1339 N. Santa Fe, to expand his business. In 1965 the company moved to 607 S. Tracy and remained there until 1982, when it moved to 1643 S. Maize Road, where it is now operating as United Technologies Corporation. Russell was a regular attendee of Asbury Methodist Church. He had a spirit of giving, especially to organizations in the Wichita community; WSU, Wichita Children’s Home, Botanica, and the Kansas Aviation Museum. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mabel; wife of 51 years, Elgeva; siblings: sisters; Marie McLauglin, Edwina Klick, Ruth Elliott, and Anna Louise Hammer; brother: JC Bomhoff. Survived by siblings, Esther Bocock and Winifred Cloud; wife, Ilene; daughter, Janice Zerbe (Don); son, Russ Bomhoff (Tonia); grandchildren, Zach Zerbe, Sarah Purdum (Nate), Brian Bomhoff; step children, Mike Huffman (Sharon), Bonnie Farmer (Doug), and Beth Miracle; five step grandchildren and eight step great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Kansas Aviation Museum, 3350 George Washington Blvd South, Wichita 67210 and Botanica, 701 Amidon Street, Wichita 67203. Funeral service will be held at Botanica on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be held Friday, January 16, 2015 at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita 67209 from 5-7 pm.