Robert Donald “Bob” Cole, 70, died May 4, 2002 at Whidbey Island Manor, Oak Harbor. He was born April 4, 1932, in St. Louis, Mo., to Edward and Vivian (Dowdall) Cole.
Bob Cole was raised in St. Louis. At the age of 15, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in the Korean War. Bob survived the crash of a B-29 bomber with a broken back. The Army Air Corps became the U.S. Air Force. He was transferred to the DEW-Line station at Yaak, Montana, serving as a radio operator. He was married to Donna Whiteside in Tacoma on Feb. 5, 1951.
Bob was discharged from the Air Force and he moved his family to Seattle. He began a 16-year career with Boeing Commercial Aircraft. With the opening of the Everett plant, Bob moved to Lynnwood. He worked in the auality control division, where he developed the first quality assurance manual for the 747.
At the age of 39, Bob was disability-retired from Boeing. He and Donna began to travel the country in their RV. They eventually settled in the Cornet Bay area of North Whidbey. They purchased a 32-foot Chris Craft powerboat and began traveling the waterways of Puget Sound. Seven years later, they moved into Oak Harbor and became residents of Western Village.
Bob was an avid writer of short stories, humor and fiction. He published a story of one of his boating trips, where he crossed into the closed waters of Bangor Submarine Base. Failing to clear the area quickly enough, the Navy took the liberty of firing a practice torpedo at Bob and Donna, narrowly missing their boat. Bob wrote of the adventure to share with others.
Bob Cole was an avid golfer, fisherman and black and white photographer. For many years, he was an active member of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club, serving as vice-commodore. He chaired the annual Yacht Club fishing derby for many years. He was also a member of the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2362 and commander of DAV Chapter No. 47 of Oak Harbor. For many years, he was involved with the RIDESAPS, a Boeing poker and fishing group.
Mr. Cole is survived by his wife of 51 years, Donna, at the family home, Oak Harbor; by three children: Coleen Cole of Vallejo, Calif.; Linda Stonebraker (Jeff) of Everett and Pam Cole of Oak Harbor. He is also survived by one brother, Ken Cole (Shirley) of Scottsdale, Ariz., and by four sisters: Annette Swifel (Bob) and Barbara Schempp, both of Belleville, Ill., and two grandchildren, Jason O’Neill of Texas and Austin Cole of Tacoma. One son Gary Cole, one sister Betty Pool and two brothers, Ed and Bill Cole, preceded him in death.
Mr. Cole requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Private family services will be held. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Fire Department for the wonderful assistance they provided Bob this past year. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
