Warren Henry Biegler, 90, of Panama City, FL passed away Friday March 18, 2016 in his home. He was born on January 18, 1926 in Douglas, OK to Henry Peter Biegler and Olivia Heydt Biegler. Warren was raised with a sister, Jean, and two brothers, Bill and Donald, in Larned, KS. As a young man Warren achieved the rank of Life Scout, and enjoyed hunting and camping.
Warren graduated from Larned High School in June 1944, serving as Senior Class President. Immediately upon graduation, Warren enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as a tail gunner on a B-29. After the war, he returned to Kansas and earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering on the GI Bill. He moved to Panama City, Florida in 1955 to work at the Mine Defense Lab, now Naval Support Activity. There he earned the Lab's first Superior Achievement in Engineering Award in 1983.
In his early years in Panama City, Warren continued to fish, hunt, and camp, and participated in theater set construction for the MDL Players.
In 1961, he married Cynthia Dennis, and together they raised three children. As their family grew, Warren built an addition to their home which became a place of pride, joy, and laughter enjoyed by family and friends.
Warren was a long-time volunteer at the Junior Museum of Bay County, where he applied his creative and mechanical skills in helping to build numerous exhibits for the children of Bay County.
In 1994, he retired from the Navy Coastal Systems Center after 38 years of service. In retirement, Warren enjoyed everyday life, a nice back yard, his dogs, and watching his grandchildren grow, learn, and contribute. He continued his lifelong interests in fixing cars and cooking the best steaks ever.
His family will remember Warren for his quick wit, gentle kindness, willingness to help, and the lessons he taught, including the value of a hard day's work, the appreciation of an ice-cold beer, the merits of a good-natured debate, the importance of fairness and study, the fine art of fishing, the love of camping, a passion for automobiles, a commitment to "live and let live," and a good Paul Bunyan story.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cynthia Dennis Biegler; children, Melissa Biegler, Angeline Biegler Turner (Andrew), Mark Biegler (Frances); grandchildren, Cate Faulkner (Jamie Zimmer-Dauphinee), Matthew Faulkner, Mark Turner, Lucy Turner, Joshua Biegler, Emily Biegler; and his beloved dog, BeBo.
Memorial services will be held at St. Andrew United Methodist Church on Wednesday March 23 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Amy Persons-Parkes officiating. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Andrew United Methodist Church or any Boy Scout troop.