Robert L. Caslen

Robert L. Caslen, age 88, of New Smyrna Beach, died Thursday, June 5, 2014. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Mr. Caslen was a veteran of the European Theater in World War II fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he attended and graduated from Central Connecticut State College in New Britain, Connecticut. He also received two masters degrees, one in Rhode Island, the other in New York. For 17 years, he was a teacher, principal, and college professor in Central Connecticut. In 1968, he and his family moved to Jay Peak, Vermont, where he owned and operated a ski lodge for 13 years. In 1981, he moved to Cape Cod Massachusetts, where he owned and operated a restaurant and a summer stock dinner theater. Moving to New Smyrna Beach in 1983, he became active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He also served on the board of the Southeast Volusia Hospital District, which operates Bert Fish Medical Center; taught at Daytona State College and Bethune Cookman University; was a mentor at New Smyrna Beach Middle School; and was a past president of the Men's Garden Club. A gourmet cook, he wrote a cook book, and enjoyed fishing and gardening. Survivors include four sons, Gary Caslen of New Smyrna Beach, Army Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen, Jr. and wife, Michele, of West Point, New York, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Caslen, USAF (Ret) and wife, Patricia, of Belleville, Illinois, Michael Caslen, and wife Vikki, of New Smyrna Beach; a sister, Arlene Reed of New Britain, Connecticut; six grandchildren, Robert L. Caslen III of Hinesville, Georgia, Rachel Marie Reed and husband Colin, of Denver, Colorado, Nicholas Caslen and wife, Amy, of Wichita, Kansas, Melissa Rose Caslen of Belleville, Illinois, Jeffrey Caslen and wife, Elizabeth, of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Courtney Rene Caslen of Boca Raton, Florida; two great-grandchildren, Kylie Caslen of Ft. Sill and Eddie Caslen of Wichita; and three nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 9 at the Settle-Wilder New Smyrna Beach Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, or Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia / Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129. Condolences may be sent to HYPERLINK "http://www.settle-wilderfuneralhome.com./"