[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 135 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H5202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF ROBERT KERSTIENS, SR.

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate a man who, I think, 
is bigger than life. He is a longtime resident of Red Bluff, 
California. He is a cattleman. His name is Robert Kerstiens, Sr. He 
just passed recently here at the age of 92.
  Mr. Kerstiens was a World War II veteran and was also a ranger with 
CAL FIRE in California. He was a well-respected and revered figure in 
the community, known for his selfless service, caring personality, and 
strong leadership.
  Straight out of high school, Bob joined the Army and was immediately 
sent off to training. When recalling his time in serving the country, 
we learned he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and in the Battle 
of Remagen, which earned him a Bronze Star as well as a Presidential 
Unit Citation for his group. These are places I have read about in 
history and that movies have been made about. Bob Kerstiens has lived 
that, and he was an integral part of helping win those battles--very 
important ones for us in winning the war in Europe.
  Following his return from the war, Kerstiens continued his path of 
service in a new role--as a firefighter foreman for CAL FIRE, where he 
worked his way up the ranks to the department's ranger in charge, after 
which he was appointed to the State Board of Forestry. His service and 
contributions to our community and State left a lasting impact that 
shaped many of the policies that keep our forests safe and healthy.
  In the community, his involvement never went unnoticed. An eight-time 
board president on the Tehama District Fair Board, a shareholder in the 
Red Bluff Round-Up Association, and a beloved judge of the Wild Horse 
Race Rodeo, his involvement never went unnoticed. He was a true 
cattleman, a true gentleman, a great man from Tehama County in northern 
California. He will be missed.

                          ____________________