H. Paul Bigler

H. Paul Bigler, 92, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2008. He graduated in 1939 from Virginia Military Institute with a BS in civil engineering. He served in China during World War II, was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, retired as a Major in the United States Army and was awarded the Bronze Star. Paul married Roberta Kinzie on October 7, 1953. Later that year he joined the architectural and engineering firm of Hayes, Seay, Mattern, and Mattern in Roanoke as a structural engineer and retired as Associate Partner in 1987. A registered Professional Engineer, he participated in the design of many structures, including the U.S. Post Office and Community Hospital in Roanoke and the Madison Building and Division of Motor Vehicles Headquarters Building in Richmond. He was a Life Member and Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers. He served as a Presbyterian Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of the Session and was currently a member of the Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. Paul is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roberta; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Joe Yates, of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter, Barbara Colonna; granddaughters, Kristin and Lauren Colonna, of Roanoke; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and David Matolak; and granddaughters, Miranda and Madeleine Matolak, all of Athens, Ohio; niece and husband, Carolyn and Harold Sandler; nephew, Samuel Kephart; son-in-law, Edward Colonna; and cousins, neighbors and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church or the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held there at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel, Roanoke, Va., 540-989-3131.