The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., October 30, 2003, page 10

BRETT BIESANZ

     Brett Philip Biesanz died in Springfield, Ore., on Oct. 20, 2003. He was 53.
     He was born March 31, 1950, in Salem, Ore., to Philip Wayman and Dorothy Phyllis Biesanz and moved with his family in 1951 to North Bend, Ore., where he lived the rest of his life. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1968. He had many interests from camping and exploring the nearby Oregon sand dunes in his own sand bug, to hunting, fishing, motorcycling and scuba diving.
     He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 17, 1969, and was given an honorable discharge on Sept. 16, 1975. His tour of duty in Vietnam was for 11 months, 24 days - from July 2, 1970, to June 25, 1971.
     He received numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons including the Bronze Star medal and two air mobile medals which were awarded because he actively participated in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory in support of operations against the enemy.
     Mr. Biesanz is survived by his mother and father, Dorothy and Philip Biesanz, Carson; sisters Cynthia Gregory, Kent, and Lisa Armstrong, Spring-field, Ore.; brothers Dick, North Bend, Ore., Lyle, Carson, Jeff, Anchorage, Alaska, and Guy, Carson; and many nieces, nephews and good friends. A sister, Kathie Hastings, preceded him in death.
     He will be cremated and a family memorial will be held at the Trout Lake Cemetery at a later date.
     Little Chapel of the Chimes, Springfield, Ore., handled the arrangements.

The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR., October 24, 2003, page D6
Includes portrait

BRETT BIESANZ

     SPRINGFIELD - Brett Philip Biesanz of Springfield died Oct. 20 of cancer. He was 53.
     Biesanz was born March 31, 1950, in Salem to Philip and Dorothy Richards Biesanz. He married Karen Costello on July 27, 1987.
     He lived in North Bend from 1951 until two months ago when he settled in Springfield. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1968.
     He served in the Army from 1969 until 1975 and his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970-71 lasted 11 months and 24 days. He was awarded numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons including a Bronze Star and two Air Medals for his participation in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory.
     He worked as an equipment operator with Georgia-Pacific for 17 years. He also worked on a ranch near North Bend, where he maintained the grounds and buildings, for seven years.
     His interests included camping, exploring Oregon sand dunes in his sand buggy, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and scuba diving.
     Survivors include his parents of Carson, Wash.; four brothers, Dick of North Bend, Lyle and Guy, both of Carson, and Jeff of Anchorage; two sisters, Cynthia Gregory of Kent, Wash., and Lisa Armstrong of Springfield.
     No service is planned. Springfield Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
     Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer