Everyone who had the privilege of meeting Pete Bobby will remember this Dena'ina Elder for his sharp wit, easy demeanor, and keen eye, which always seemed to be scanning the horizon for game. He will truly be missed.
The following obituary appears in today's Anchorage Daily News (thanks to Jon Ross for forwarding).
Alaska Native elder Peter Paul Bobby, 95, died early in the morning June 24, 2008, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
A short Russian Orthodox service will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla. Afterward, a second service is planned for anyone who wishes to honor Pete. His funeral and burial will be Monday in Lime Village, 170 miles west of Anchorage, if mountain pass conditions permit transport.
He was born Sept. 6, 1912, in Lime Village.
His family wrote: "Pete and family were thankful that the Lord had given him such a full life. Pete lost his wife 62 years ago and never remarried.
"With his wife, Annie, he had only one daughter, Helen Dick, but was blessed with five grandchildren, Anna Boyers, Elizabeth Solie, William Dick, Rachel Cooper and Wayne Dick. His grandchildren gave him 13 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters, all of whom he enjoyed greatly. Pete may have been the oldest Dena'ina Athabascan in Alaska.
"Pete was born in Lime Village, on the headwaters of the Stony River, when subsistence and survival were synonymous. While he wrestled with issues like anyone else, he became a true legend in his time. Pete provided meat when others were not able. He built boats, sleds and cabins. He trained his nephews to swim, survive, hunt, trap and fish. He traveled distances by dog team and snowshoes that only airplanes travel today.
"He was a World War II vet, serving in the Aleutian Islands with the U.S. Army.
"Pete was the Encyclopedia Britannica for Dena'ina place names, cultural insight and technology. For decades he has been referenced by linguists, including Dr. James Kari.
"He lived the life of which books are written.
"Pete has always related to the Lord through the Russian Orthodox faith, and kept Him close, especially in the last 10 years.
"With Pete's passing comes the end of an age for his family."
He is survived by his younger brother, Nick Bobby, and sisters, Emma Alexie and Aggie Hobson.
He was preceeded in death by 11 brothers and sisters.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make a contribution to a favorite charity in his name.
-----
Link to above story
http://www.legacy.com/ADN/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=112268827
