May 07, 1941 - August 01, 2010
CMSGT Bruce A. Kibben (USAF Retired) Obituary Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grand-father, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend; Bruce passed away peacefully on August 1, 2010 at the VA Soldiers Home in Spokane, WA surrounded by his loving family and friends. Bruce was born in Albany, NY to Simon and Edith Kibben on May 7, 1941. He graduated from Maple Hill High School in New York. Bruce joined the US Air Force in September, 1959 and retired in October, 1989. He achieved the highest rank an enlisted member can reach as a "Chief Master Sergeant". Only one percent of the total enlisted force can achieve this rank. His dedication and devotion to the Air Force and serving his country always came first to Bruce. He served as a Weather Equipment Specialist, Airborne Meteorological and Research Equipment as an Instructor and as a First Sergeant for 14 years. His exceptional career of over 30 years had him living around the world. Bruce was stationed at Seymour Johnson, NC, Kunsan AB, South Korea, McGuire AFB, New Jersey, Chanute AFB, Illinois, Aviano AB, Italy, K I Sawyer AFB, Michigan, Shemya AFB, Alaska and Fairchild AFB, WA where he retired. Bruce was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt, fish and even planted and cared for his very own orchard. He met his beloved wife Betty in Negaunee, MI while he was stationed at K I Sawyer AFB and they married on February 16, 1985. After retiring Bruce ran the Sports Range on Fairchild AFB and also worked for Spokane County. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Debra Cheryl Kibben, sister Ann Kibben and daughter-in-law Tina Belongia. He is survived by his loving wife Betty, Spokane, WA; sons Alan Belongia, Powers, MI, Mike Kernats (Sherry), Amasa, MI, Scott Sutter (Ann), Cheney, WA, Charlie Kibben; daughters Yvonne Tanner (CMSGT Rodney), Burt, MI, Lori Harmon, Sanford, NC, Connie Harrell, North Carolina; and 13 grandchildren, one great-grandson and several cousins. He also left behind his dog Sir Chauncey and kitty Ms Lady Bug. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the VA Soldiers Home in Spo
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