Robert Raymond Coleman

Robert Raymond Coleman

GRATZ - Robert Raymond Coleman, age 81, of Gilboa, NY, formerly of Gratz, PA, died Saturday, January 14, 2006 at Fox Hospital, Oneonta, NY.
He was born in Lykens Twp., Dauphin County, PA, on April 27, 1924, a son of the late Austin W. and Buella A. (Klinger) Coleman.
He was a graduate of the former Gratz High School and Hegins Twp. High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. He then graduated from four Air Force Specialist Schools, and was placed in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Reserve Program.
He served as Flight Engineer on the B-17 Flying Fortress. His last assignment was as Crew Chief and Flight Engineer for the Commanding General, 13th Bomber Command in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of operations. Sergeant Coleman was awarded the following medals: Good Conduct, World War II Victory, American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater, Phillippine Liberation and Air Medal.
Following the years in the Air Force, he graduated from Williamsport Technical Institute and the Quaker City School of Aeronautics. He was employed by the Piasecki Helicopter Corporation and the Baldwin Locomotive Works as a Diesel Test Engineer.
In 1947, he married Annie C. Schlegel and purchased a farm in Lykens Twp., Dauphin County, PA. While farming, Bob was Secretary of the Upper Dauphin County Young Farmers Group and President of the Dauphin County Farmers Association. He was a former Deacon, President of the Joint Consistories, Chairman of the Building Committee, Adult Sunday School Teacher, and Sunday School Superintendent at Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz.
After selling the farm, he accepted a position as a Regional Organization Director for the New York Farm Bureau and moved to the Catskill Mountain Area. During that time, he was promoted to several management positions.
The National American Farm Bureau Federation offered him a position in the Chicago Office which he accepted. After several management positions, he retired as the Director of Special Marketing Services and moved back to the Catskill Mountains of New York. He was a life member of the VFW Diamond Jubaliee Post 2385, Gratz. He enjoyed tractor restoration, hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Annie C. Schlegel Coleman, to whom he was married 58 years; two sons, James L. Coleman of Stamford, NY, and Thomas W. Coleman of Castelton, NY; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and one sister, Sarah Beck of Carlisle. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Coleman and Mark A. Coleman; and by three sisters, Ethel Gurtz, Ruth Lebo, and Hilda Fleegal.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 2nd at Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz, PA, with Rev. Barry Ridge officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation. Burial will be made in Union Cemetery, Gratz, PA.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, PA, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at
www.buffingtonreed.com www.pennlive.com/obits