Capt. John Pearson Mihlbauer

forever from the sea;

I’ll sail my ship through Heaven’s gate,

for a sailor I’ll always be.”

With sadness, the Mihlbauer Ohana announces that their father, John Pearson Mihlbauer, died at home the morning of April 17, 2020 surrounded by his wife and children.

John Pearson Mihlbauer was born on March 19, 1928 in Newark, New Jersey, the son of John Lawrence and Lorain (Pearson) Mihlbauer. He graduated in 1946 from Rogers High School in Newport, Rhode Island and on June 2, 1950 from the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.

Our father married Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Blondin on June 3, 1950 at St. Augustin’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. The family made homes in Portland, Maine; Saipan; Ledyard, Connecticut; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Cape May, New Jersey; McLean, Virginia; Norfolk, Virginia; Kailua, Hawaii; Governors Island, New York; and North Olmsted, Ohio before retiring from the Coast Guard and resettling in Kailua, Hawaii in 1980.

Dad was a man of integrity and will always be remembered as honest, kind, principled and thoughtful—a true gentleman. He was active in the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Council, the Rotary Club of Pearl Harbor, the Coast Guard Foundation, and numerous other community organizations. The “Captain” was a sailor and an engineer with a long and distinguished career that included 30 years as a Coast Guard officer and over 30 years with All Ship & Cargo Surveys…still, family always came first.

Dad was preceded in death by his son Peter. He is survived by his wife Betty and six children: John, Kathie, Eileen, Grace, Mary & Margie; 23 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren.

Captain, you have completed your final watch. Now, catch the trade winds and set your sails for your next adventure.

Due to current Covid-19 limitations and travel restrictions to Hawaii, the family has cancelled services in November. A combined service for our dad and mom has been rescheduled for 9:30am on Thursday, June 3, 2021 (their 71st wedding anniversary) at St. Anthony of Padua in Kailua, Hawaii. A private burial service will also be scheduled at Punchbowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Mihlbauer family.