Robert Lester COLE

COLE, Robert Lester 93, of Clearwater, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 16, 2013. Bob was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on July 13, 1919. He graduated from New Haven College of Physical Therapy and was a licensed physical therapist for 10 years. He worked in the hospital at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, and later as supervisor of the state of Connecticut food stamp office in Hartford, CT. Bob was a WWII veteran serving with the 8th air force as a B17 radio operator. His plane was shot down over Germany on their 10th mission and he was taken prisoner for 14 months. Following his discharge, he joined the Air Force Reserves, where he earned the rank of 1st Lt, by taking AFR correspondence courses. He was a member of VFW, DAV, and Ex-POW Gulf Coast Chapter. He retired in 1978 and moved to Clearwater. Bob volunteered 6 years at Mease Hospital in Dunedin and 6 years at RCS Food Pantry. He was a member of United Methodist Church of Clearwater and the United Methodist's Men's Club. His family includes wife of 65 years, Dorothy; daughter, Helen DeVere of Celebration, FL; grandchildren, Paul and his wife, Gloria, of Austin, TX, and Brian and his wife, Brigette, of Santa Clara, CA. He is predeceased by his daughter, Lois. Bob loved his family and liked to travel, play golf and dance with Dottie. Services will be held at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, Saturday, Jan. 26, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Red Cross or to the Clearwater Free Clinic. Sylvan Abbey 727-796-1992 or Sylvanabbey.com