Arnold A. Bezold

Arnold A. Bezold, 82, of California, KY, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital Fort Thomas, KY after a massive stroke. His wife and children were at his bedside. He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, California, KY all of his life. In 2011 his Great grandson was the 6th generation of his family to be baptized in the parish. Our Dad was affectionately known as the “Bee Man” in the Campbell County area where he lived his entire life. Honey Bees were his passion.  He happily shared his knowledge of the importance of bees in our eco system in many class rooms and events including “The Backroads Farm Tour.”  Many people have started their own Bee Keeping adventures because of his enthusiasm and knowledge.  His second passion was the local history of “Twelve Mile” and Gubser’s Mill” he was interviewed on several local T.V. stations and the Campbell County Historical Society. The latter of which is on “YouTube” titled, Frank Bezold Store.  It was important to him to share the struggles and triumphs and work ethic of our German ancestors who gave us the wonderful life we are blessed to have in America today.  He retired from the Rural Letter Carriers Association in 1997. The kids on his route were always happy to see his car pull up because there was always the chance he had candy for them as well as their mail. During his postal career he was also the owner and proprietor of Frank Bezold General Merchandise. He took over the business when his father Frank retired in 1961. He kept the store in business until April 1981 thus fulfilling a promise to his father to keep it open for at least 100 years. Dad also introduced meat processing to his business in which our whole family participated. Local families would bring their beef to him for processing as well as venison during the hunting season. Dad was always proud of his service in the Marine Corps & frequently reminded us of the discipline that was required. We frequently heard "Buddy if you were in the Marine Corp....... " as one of his phrases. However one thing he could never grasp was learning to swim. His drill sergeant s eventually just told him “Oh well if you drown you drown”. After returning from Korea & prior to taking over the family business he worked for Northern KY Waterworks. He then took a job as an electrician for Knapp Electric. Our Dad had a green thumb and his many flower and vegetable gardens were something to behold. There was always a large garden at our home until his first stroke in 2012. His talent for making wonderful homemade wine was well known in the area as well. He loved to be busy, he loved to tell stories and to share his passions with everyone and never met a stranger. It’s time for our hero to rest. His parents Frank M. Bezold and Marie Goetz Bezold preceded him in death as well as his sister Mary, brothers Frankie, Paul and Alfred (Fritz) all of Calif. KY.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Elsa Kroth Bezold, daughter Melissa Bezold (Wolfgang), son Bruce (Joyce), of Alex.KY, son Todd (Michael) of York, Maine and daughter Melanie Kramer (Joseph) of Alex. KY.  His Grandchildren, Mandi Zornada (Robert), Chet Thompson, Zack Thompson, Lindsay Rawe(Jesse), Justin Bezold, Tyler Bezold and Maddie Kramer, and two Great grandsons, Steele and Cruz Zornada. His sisters Victoria Heeb, Camp Springs KY, Bernice Kramer, Joan Schack, and Oliva Turner of Alex. KY and Judy Garlich of Melbourne, KY as well as many nieces and nephews who will greatly miss their “Uncle Boob.”Visitation is Tuesday July 29 at Alexandria Funeral Home, 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Mass of Christian burial at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, California, Ky on Wednesday July 30 11:00am. Memorials can be made to Sts. Peter & Paul School.