John Robert "Bo" Cline

Nov 4, 1947 -

Jul 7, 2020

It is with sadness we announce the passing of John R. "Bo" Cline, who died after the sudden onset of Leukemia at the UW Medical Center, Seattle. His wife Bethany and daughter Megan were at his side. Bo was born in Renton, Wash., to Kelly and Marge Cline. He spent his youth in Federal Way and graduated from Federal Way High School in 1966. A year later he joined the Navy and worked four years as an aviation technician. Bo was stationed in Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and Whidbey Island, which inspired his passion for traveling. After the Navy he earned a degree in physics, with minors in chemistry and math, at Western Washington University. It was here he began his quest for lifelong learning. He joined the FAA in 1976, and during his career earned a degree in electrical engineering at UAF and a Masters in Engineering Management at UAA. Through his job Bo traveled throughout the state from the Arctic to the Aleutian Chain, and lived in Dillingham, Kodiak, Fairbanks and Palmer. He retired in 2004, and began pursuing his hobbies of traveling, woodworking, brewing, live trapping feral cats and helping others. He was a Renaissance man that enjoyed science, math, reading, writing and research. He was an active member of Matanuska Masonic Lodge, and became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alaska in 2009. Bo's greatest joy was masonic research and writing which he enjoyed discussing with his brothers. He was involved in his lodge's scholarship program and he started and coordinated the "Bikes for Books" program that rewarded reading in local schools and the Palmer Public Library. Also, for over 30 years, Bo was a great promoter and volunteer with the Boy Scouting program in the valley. However, his greatest passion was his family. He was always available with lots of advice, math instructions, woodworking help and sharing his brewing tips. He is survived by Bethany, his best friend and wife of 47 years; his son, Joshua; daughter-in-law, Kenyatta; daughter, Megan; and grandsons, Zachary and Elijah. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Cline (Deb); sister, Maggie Buckholz (Mike); father- and mother-in-law, Don and Leeann Dodds; brothers-in-law, David Dodds (Michele) and James Dodds (Nancy). He also left behind many beloved family members too numerous to name. He was loved by his family and friends and will be missed. In his memory please do a good deed every day and help someone in need.

Late Fragment

And did you get what

You wanted from this life, even so?

I did.

And what did you want?

To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.

- Raymond Carver