Frederick "Bo" Kurt Bozenhardt

Frederick Kurt “Bo” Bozenhardt passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease—just five days after his 89th birthday. He was surrounded by his loving family. Bo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, second son of Hermann and Marie Bozenhardt. In 1942, during World War II, his family was detained as suspected “enemy aliens.” After reuniting at a Texas internment camp, the family returned to Germany through a government exchange where Bo spent his youth before returning to the United States at age 18 as a skilled cabinet maker.

In 1955, Bo joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a Fire Protection Specialist on the flight lines until 1959, with assignments in New York, Orlando, Iceland, and Alabama. In 1956 while stationed in Orlando, he met his future wife, Wilma Jeane Overton. They married in September 1958 and raised two sons, Brian “Kurt” and Kenneth.

Following his military service, he joined the Winter Park Fire Department and following 4 years of service was selected as a firefighter in the Kennedy Space Center Fire Department, where he served for over 31 years. Bo worked in NASA’s Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs holding several positions and roles including the Astronaut Rescue Team and several Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) teams in Senegal, The Gambia, and Morocco. Bo took great pride in being part of America’s historic space program and retired in 1997, due to injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Bo was a leader with the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years and was awarded the prestigious Good Shepherd Award during his years with Troop 80 at Aloma Baptist Church. He was a devoted father who rarely missed his sons’ games, regattas, concerts, or Scout outings.

A faithful member of Aloma Church for over 50 years, Bo served in many roles - Sunday School teacher, deacon, usher, and kitchen helper. Even as Parkinson’s disease limited his mobility, he continued to welcome everyone with a warm handshake and smile from his spot at the side door.

Bo is survived by his wife Wilma, sister Christa, and other family in Germany; son Kurt (wife Kim); grandchildren Brooke (husband Cody), Hannah (husband Casey), and Dalton; and great-grandchildren Harper and Maverick. Bo is preceded in death by his parents, brother Herman, and son Kenneth.

Bo leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and quiet strength. His family and friends will forever cherish the joy and kindness he shared throughout his life.

The family would like to offer a word of gratitude to the V/A home care team and the nurses and doctors of Advent Hospice care team for their dedication and wonderful skills for caring for Bo during the last 5 months of his journey.

Family & Friends / Viewing & Burial - Wednesday, July 16th at 9:00 AM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home 7520 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 with burial at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, FL, 32789.

Celebration of Life - Saturday, July 19th at 10:00 AM at Aloma Church, 1815 State Road 436, Winter Park, FL, 32792.