Robert 'Bob' and Natalie 'Nat' Gepner
Obituary
Robert 'Bob' and Natalie 'Nat' Gepner
Longtime Alaskans Robert Dale "Bob" and Natalie Rose "Nat" Gepner died unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in Kenai. He was 74, and she was 71.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Soldotna High School Auditorium. A reception will follow.
Mr. Gepner was born Jan. 4, 1933, in Clyde, Kan., to Carl and Louise Gepner. He came to Alaska seeking adventure in 1954. He rough-necked, commercial fished for king crab and salmon out of Homer and Ninilchik before settling in the water well business as the owner of Peninsula Drilling.
Mrs. Gepner was born Feb. 1, 1936, in Seldovia to Jack and Gladys Deitz. She was raised on the family homestead just outside of Homer. She loved and was devoted to her many grandchildren and was an elder of the Kenaitze tribe.
The couple met in Alaska and were married in 1955. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on a cruise with their family and friends.
"Their greatest shared loves were family, friends, their Bible students, annual trips to Hawaii with family and devoting time to their Bible education work. Over the years, Bob and Nat developed and maintained friendships with many people. Family and friends enjoyed hearing stories about their adventures, such as volunteer construction work in Bogota, Colombia, attending as delegates to numerous international conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses in many fascinating places, including Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia and the Katrina relief work they participated in this year," their family said.
"Sharing their belief, their children look forward to being reunited with their parents in the resurrection as promised in John 5:28, 29. When, at that time, Rev. 21:4 will have its fulfillment, 'And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.'"
They are survived by sons, Robert Wayne Gepner and James Lynn Gepner; daughter, Cynthia Kay Shankel; grandchildren, Chip and Chantel Versaw, Jaymie, Amanda, James Lynn Jr., Garland and Elise Gepner; Mr. Gepner's brother, Cameron Gepner; his sister, Phyllis Waltman; Mrs. Gepner's brothers, Raymond and Bud Deitz; and many extended family members.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.