Robert Colson

Robert T. "Bob" Colson Died peacefully at home on Monday, February 13, 2012 at the age of 81 surrounded by family and friends. A resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 40 years, Bob had recently returned to St. Louis to be close to his family. Born in St. Louis on August 7th, 1930 to Wilbur G. and Catherine "Kitty" McAuliffe, Bob grew up in University City and graduated from Christian Brothers College and St. Louis University School of Law. In 1951 Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1953. He married Carroll DeuelI Matthews in 1956. He practiced law in St. Louis until 1963 when he assumed a position with Falstaff Brewing Corporation. He married Barbara Wiebe in 1971. In 1972 Bob began a 34 year career as an executive in the Maritime shipping industry. He founded San Francisco based Philippines, Micronesia & Orient Navigation Company Inc. (PM&O) in 1979 and expanded a niche service liner operation into the Central Pacific and South Pacific Islands. He served on the Board of Mariz Inc. from 1997 in 2002. Bob's passion for the Maritime industry coupled with his love of the people of the Pacific Island nations was a driving force that helped usher in a new era of modern commerce in the communities his line served. He will be respectfully remembered both in St. Louis, the city of his birth and youth and the city of San Francisco which he loved so much, as well as throughout the Pacific for his vision and commitment to bettering the lives of the people of the island nations of the Pacific. He leaves behind his wife Barbara, beloved sister Patricia Weber, children R. Thomas Colson of Honolulu, Hawaii, Catherine Colson of St. Louis, Missouri, Julie Sommerich (Bill) of Troy, Missouri, Ellen Arnold (David) of Peru, Indiana, Nicholas Colson of Bakersfield, California, Jeremy Colson of San Raphael, California, grandchildren Sarah Frein, Tory Peil, Harry Sommerich, Jamison Peil, Alex Arnold, Abby Sommerich, Sam Arnold, great- grandchild Ledger Frein, nephew Denny Weber (Terri) of Colorado Springs. Colorado, brother-in-law Bruce Wiebe (Wanda) of MinneapolIs, Minnesota. Carol Wiebe of Oakland, California and good friend Jeff Hailand of St. Louis, Missouri. Services: A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Forsyth at Asbury, University City on Saturday, February 25th at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Catholic Charities of St. Louis,. 4532 Lindell, St. Louis, MissourI, 63108. A SERVICE OF THE LUPTON CHAPEL