Cyril LeRoy Kiehl

Longtime Alaska resident, Cyril Kiehl, 101, died April 8, 2021 in Anchorage with his family by his side. Mr. Keihl was born December 1, 1919 in Dilworth, Oklahoma to Ploma and Julius Kiehl. He graduated from Curlew High School, and later, the University of Washington with a degree in Radio Announcing. He served as a Chief Radioman in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1945, he saw an advertisement from the FAA for radio operators in Alaska with experience in Morse Code. He then moved to Alaska and worked in Skwentna as a flight service center technician, and then later in Fairbanks as an air traffic controller. He transferred to Anchorage in 1960 and became the chief controller in the Lake Hood tower and then the Anchorage tower. He joined the young adult group at First Presbyterian Church and met Lois Younker. Cy and Lois were married in 1961. They bought an old homesteader's house in Eagle River. Their first winter was spent huddled by the fireplace and eventually they had to search for firewood to keep warm on Christmas day. They raised three children, survived the Good Friday earthquake, and became charter members of Eagle River Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Kiehl sang in the choir and served as the Clerk of Session for many years. Mr. Kiehl retired from the FAA in 1982 after 37 years of service. He enjoyed his retirement by spending winters in their home purchased in Na'alehu on the big island of Hawaii where he often served as a Lay Leader in the Methodist Church of Na'alehu. Summers were spent in their Chester Park condo in Anchorage. Mr. Kiehl enjoyed electronics, crossword puzzles, reading the bible, music, traveling, and his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Lois Kiehl; sister, Virginia Alfsen; and grandson, Duane Braun. Survivors are his brother, Glenn Kiehl; children, Ralph, Mark and Julia Kiehl; granddaughters, Kea and James Keihl; grandson, Simon Kiehl; and great grandson, Bryce Braun, and their families.