Robert Francis Biehle, 93, of Fresno, CA passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday, December 14, 2018. Bob (as he was known to most) was born September 30, 1925 in Fresno, CA to William and Mary Biehle. The second of five children, Bob grew up working in his father's store, North Fresno Grocery. He attended Bullard Grammar School and Saint Theresa High School. After graduating in 1943, Bob joined the United States Navy serving on the USS Matanikau as a Radarman Third Class USNR. Later in life, he loved to share stories about his time "in the Service" with anyone that would listen. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on April 22, 1946. After leaving the Navy, he began working for the United States Post Office as a Postal Carrier where he worked for 40 years. Bob met many interesting people on his routes over the years. He became friends with many, and like family with others, often spending his personal time checking in on them and helping them out over the years. Bob met the love of his life, Dolores, in December of 1950 at Saint John's Young Adult Christmas Party. He loved his "cute little gal" immensely and they were married on November 22, 1952. They went on to have three children: Linda, Debbie, and Steve. Bob and Dolores celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary on Thanksgiving Day, 2018. Bob was a deeply religious man and attended mass daily at Sacred Heart until he was unable to do so (at which point he received communion and watched mass on the Catholic Channel from home.) He enjoyed participating in many church related activities including being a member of the Knights of Columbus (Chapter #840) and sponsoring many new Catholics while they received their Sacraments through the Sacred Heart R.C.I.A. Program. Both Bob and Dolores were long standing members of the Sacred Heart Church Italian Catholic Federation branch #185 and participated and lead many of their events. Additionally, he had a deep love of the outdoors enjoying camping, fishing, hiking, gardening, and bird watching. "Papa Bob" was deeply devoted to his children and grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to attend any of their various events and ceremonies, or simply take them to practice. "Papa Bob" loved to tinker and made a small career of building and fixing their broken toys; he was able to fix almost anything. He loved nothing more than having all of his grandchildren together and took great joy in hearing about what his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were up to, where they were headed, what their accomplishments were, and was always interested in engaging them in lively conversations. Robert was preceded into death by his parents William and Mary, and siblings Brother Raymond Jeffery FSC (Charles Biehle), Elaine Stoffel, and William "Bill" Biehle. He is survived by his wife Dolores; his brother Brother Nicholas Biehle FSC (Raymond Biehle) of Napa, CA; his three children Linda Powell and husband Mark of Madera, CA, Deborah Jameson of Fresno, CA, and Stephen Biehle and wife Diane of Visalia, CA. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Nicholas Biehle and wife Jessica, Christopher Powell and wife Brianna, Lauren Biehle, Jonathan Powell and wife Harkiran, Katherine Biehle, and Amanda Jameson, as well as his four great grandchildren, Grayson, Lincoln, Scarlett, and Zachary. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns, & Blair Funeral Home, on December 26, 2018 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church, December 27, 2018 at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Clovis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to Valley Children's Hospital PO Box 1248, Madera, CA 93639-9804, Sacred Heart Hall Building Fund, or donor's favorite charity.
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