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Rob Coles Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Mark E. Weber
June 5, 2024
Aloha Cole family, I am sorry about Rob's passed away. I saw a photo of Rob Cole (his face was look like Thomas Jefferson wow.) from National Geographic magazine. I enjoyed to visit Monticello and University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. and finally Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
Frances Lee-Vandell
September 13, 2020
Portraying Jefferson today would be even more complex with so much antislavery upheaval. May Rob rest in peace.
April 3, 2014
Just discovered that Rob passed. I met him at Colonial Williamsburg Labor Day weekend 1991. I saw him across a room and told him I was amazed how he captured the look of T.J. Looking down from his over six feet tall at my 5'8, he said, "My dear man I am the 5th great grandson of Thomas Jefferson," in ever so polite, genteel 18th century etiquette. I was so impressed, I became his promoter on the spot (never done promoting in my life) and lined up school performances in the Grand Rapids area in Michigan for a few months. I put him up at the Colonial motel near our home in Rockford. He was terribly shy and it drained him to do two performances a day. I had an authentic colonial outfit made for me and I would introduce him. At one point he quipped, "I see your performances are getting younger and mine shorter." He was indeed a gentleman from another era. My daughter was six at the time. We have a photo of tall Rob playing cards with small Emily. She remembers cheating and he knew it. He was incredibly kind to her. Years later she dyed her blonde hair T.J red and played T.J. on President's day. Later, my second wife and I came to visit Williamsburg in 2002. He joined us and we got a grand tour of the University of Virginia. I'm still in shock that he died so young. I shared all his stories with my history classes. My children felt he was family. My deepest condolences.
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October 4, 2013
With sadness we read of Rob's death. We only met him a few times, but he was delightful to spend time with and Doris often talked about him.
We send our thoughts and condolences to the family. Fran & Tynker
Jimmy Farmer
September 25, 2013
Rob was great guy.
I saw him often in down town library.Always asked about my family. a real gentelman - he will be missed.
Jimmy Farmer.
Jonathan Gatewood
September 25, 2013
May your kind spirit continue through the countless lives you've touched. What a great legacy. My condolences to the family. Find comfort in knowing that Rob's spirit had rejoined those who have gone on before him.
September 21, 2013
God bless and be with you Virginia for enriching Rob's life. For caring, understanding, loving him and being by his side along life's way.
sf
Lynn Gallagher
September 21, 2013
FRIEND
by
Lynn Gallagher
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “Friend” as 1. A person attracted to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. 2. A person who gives assistance; patron, supporter...
Rob,
Dearest friend, the dictionary does you not justice -
It remarks not your strength,
Hand clasping mine,
Leading,
Holding fast in the storm,
Emerging out of chaos,
Attaining the summit,
Still in tandem with other-self.
Neither does it note your beauty of eye and soul -
Gifts both, thunderbolts loosed
By the gods -
A force for noble deeds.
And what of shared sustenance -
That first bit of bread
Offered in the communion of friends,
A susurrant smile
Its only recompense.
The passage of time
Is proof existential
That root of friend lies not in the
Hallowed pages of some ancient book,
But justly in
The quotidian of a day's work.
Staunch friend, fast friend,
Friend closer than a brother:
Hercules and Iolaus.
Castor and Pollux.
Achilles and Patroclus.
Christ and beloved disciple.
Now cathedral bells sing,
Promising succor
Acclaiming victory,
Heralding joy,
Celebrating friend,
Celebrating you.
Like the poet,
I, too, ask
Where does man's glory
Begin and End?
This day I say
My glory is
I
Called you
Friend.
© 2013 Lynn Gallagher
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September 20, 2013
Sis, Margaret and John, I am so very sorry to hear about Rob's passing! My heart goes out to you all and your family! much love- Lori Carle
Leslie Coles Heironimus
September 19, 2013
Caroline and Margaret, I am so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. I know how well he was like in town and his portrayals of your famous ancestor will live on the minds of many people. He was a remarkable person. My deepest condolences to both of you and your entire family.
Michael Miller
September 19, 2013
God bless Rob. One of the very first people I met upon moving to Charlottesville. He was always kind and upbeat. You will be missed. Mike Miller
Steve Edenbo
September 19, 2013
“The flowers come forth like the belles of the day, have their short reign of beauty and splendor, & retire like them to the more interesting office of reproducing their like. The hyacinths and tulips are off the stage, the Irises are giving place to the Belladonnas, as those will to the Tuberoses, etc, as your Mama has done to you, my dear Anne, as you will do to the sisters of little John, and as I shall soon & cheerfully do to you all in wishing you along, long, goodnight.” —Thomas Jefferson, to his granddaughter Anne C. Bankhead. May 26, 1811.
September 19, 2013
Such a kind man with talent that taught people and children about Mr. Jefferson's incredible teachings which are now even more needed. I will miss you Rob. As will the rest of Charlottesville.
September 19, 2013
I didn't sign my note, just sent.
Frances Lee-Vandell
September 19, 2013
A young man Rob was, to be at peace and understand the passing into grace. I am awed by his discernment and sweet surrender.
God bless Rob and God bless his family.
m g
September 19, 2013
Godspeed, Rob.
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