Anchorage resident Bernard Blumenstein, 76, died Jan. 6, 2004, at Providence Alaska Medical Center of natural causes.

A visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St. A service will be at 11 a.m. with a Baha'i official officiating. Pallbearers will include Louis, Gene and Gary Palmer, Sam Blumenstein, Gary Laschober and Patrick Chikoyak. Burial will be at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Mr. Blumenstein was born May 2, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He earned a college degree and served proudly in the U.S. Navy. He moved to Alaska in the early 1950s.

He retired from a career in communications as a lifelong member of the Teamsters.

Mr. Blumenstein was an active member of the Baha'i faith since the 1950s. He and his wife, Rita, were international emissaries teaching the Baha'i faith. He introduced the faith to residents of Bethel, Nome and Palmer.

Mr. Blumenstein's first priority was his family and his friends.

Survivors include his brother, Joseph Blumenstein; wife, Rita Blumenstein; son, Sam Blumenstein; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Gary Palmer; grandchildren, Gary, Jeremy, Louis, Gene Gary and Cassandra; and his adopted son, Bob Chaney.

In lieu of flowers, the family says financial donations will be accepted by Bob Chaney, 2001 Sunrise Drive, Anchorage 99508.

Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel.