Robert Emil Soler

1919 - 2008

Robert Emil (Bob) Soler, 89, of the Elks National Home, Bedford, Va., died on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Bob was a truly warm and loving man; he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on January 30, 1919, a son of the late Sophie Lastra and his stepfather, Joaquin Lastra. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Lawrence Soler, who was the mother of his children; his son, Steven Robert Soler; and his brother, Antone Soler.
Bob was a sergeant in the Army Air Corp, were he served as a photographer in India and Okinawa, Japan. Bob retired after many faithful years as a electro-mechanical draftsman department supervisor from Lockheed/Martin moving to Virginia in 1980. He designed his home lovingly putting his skills as a master craftsman to work building and installing all the cabinets and woodwork. Bob was a lover of life enjoying his time in the garden, watching the birds, and in his workshop. He was a self educated man was a passion of reading with a great love of Westerns (Louis L'Amour).
Moving to the Elks Home in 2006, Bob embraced the many activities and fellowship of his fellow Elks and the staff. He was a communicant of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church where he crafted many of the wooden items in the church. Bob was Past Grand Master of the Bedford Masonic Lodge and member of the Bedford Elks Home Lodge.
He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Madeleine Soler; two daughters, Christina Beth Soler, of Auburn, Ala., and Nancy Carol Olson and her husband, Richard, of Winter Garden, Fla.; two grandchildren, Sarah Goodwin and Gunnar Goodwin, both of Orlando, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, Building Fund, 1307 Oakwood Street, Bedford, Va. 24523.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be said 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church with Father Stephen McNally celebrating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008, at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church and one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday.
Bob wished for cremation following the service and his cremated remains will be buried at Resurrection Catholic Church at a later date. Arrangements by BurchMessier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, Va., 540-586-7360.