BOMBER MEMORIAL

COLIN HAROLD "SGT. BUBS" BLEILER ~ Class of 1955
October 7, 1936 - May 8, 2012







Colin "Sgt. Bubs" Bleiler peacefully passed away at age 75, at Richland Rehabilitation on the morning of May 8, 2012. Bubs was born on October 7, 1936, in Yakima and grew up in Toppenish. His family moved to North Richland when he was 12 years old. Shortly after, they moved to West Richland where the Bleilers were an integral part of the community. Bubs attended John Ball Elementary, Chief Jo Junior High School, and graduated from Columbia High School in 1955. He then graduated from WSC (now WSU) in 1960 with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Bubs married Kay Creighton ('56) in 1960. They had three marvelous children together. Bubs later married Sue Linehan in 1974 bringing 2 more wonderful children into the family. Bubs and Sue were married for 38 years.

During 1954 through 1960, Bubs was a Sergeant in the National Guard. Later, while living in Virginia, Bubs was a Special Agent for the Office of Naval Intelligence. He returned to the Tri-Cities, and became owner and president of Columbia Oil Company which included several service stations. He was the first to bring a martial arts studio to the Tri-Cities and was an active member of the Kawanis Club. He later opened Sgt. Bubs Army Store which he considered his "fun" job. After retiring, he was a volunteer Escort at Kadlec for the past 10 years. Bubs enjoyed meeting people and making them laugh. He also piloted the Miss Bardahl Hydroplane to victory in the first ever Columbia Cup.

Bubs was preceded in death by his infant brother John, daughter, Monica "Mouse" Linehan, and his parents, Lena and Colin Bleiler.

Bubs is survived by his wife, Sue Bleiler; sister, Glenda ('58) (& Lonnie) Hart; daughter, Kathy (& Dave) Skaggs; son, Kevin (& Tina) Bleiler; son, Robert Linehan; and daughter, Kami (& Len) Softich. Bubs is also survived by grandchildren: Katie (& Caleb) Doughty, Tori Softich, Jeff Skaggs, Camren Bleiler, and Haley Softich. As well as, many more beloved nieces, nephews, and family members. He will be terribly missed by his entire family and many, many friends. A special thanks goes out to his nephew, Carl Martinez, for his compassionate assistance during the last couple of weeks of Bubs' life.

Bubs knew how to enjoy life to the fullest and certainly did so. He was a really big prankster and loved to joke around. He loved his family and friends and expressed what a great life he had.

Per Bubs wishes, we will not be holding a formal funeral. However, we have set up a special Facebook account: Sgt. Bubs Memories. If you have a special message for any member of the family, or funny and/or inspiring stories about Bubs, we encourage you to please post on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SgtBubsMemories. We would really appreciate reading and sharing them.

You can also express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.einansfuneralhome.com

As Colin/Colie/Bubs/Bubbie/Burbs/Sarge/Papa would say... Au Revoir (Arevrwahr)! We will always love and miss you Bubs (husband, father, son, uncle, and friend)!!