Robert Emil "Bob" SOLER

Robert Emil

'Bob' Soler

Robert Emil "Bob" Soler, 89, of the Elks National Home, Bedford, died Wednesday, Oct. 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 Jan. 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 U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a photographer in India and Okinawa, Japan. Bob retired after many faithful years as an electro-mechanical draftsman department supervisor for 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 with a passion of reading and 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.; and 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 St., Bedford, VA 24523.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 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. today, Oct. 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 are by Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main St., Bedford, (540) 586-7360.