ROBERT LAWRENCE ‘‘BOB’’ COLE, age 87, passed away on March 22, 2016 at Banner Churchill Hospital in Fallon. Bob was born Nov. 20, 1928 in Syracuse, New York. He worked on the Erie Canal as a cook and deck hand at the age of 14. When he was 16 he cooked for a girls dorm at the University of Syracuse. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 in 1946. Bob served at Naval stations in Virginia, Florida, Washington and Alaska. He was a combat engineer serving on the USS Midway, Philippines Sea, Shangri-La, Kearsage, Saratoga, America and Constellation. He was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. In 1976 he retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer. Bob went to the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA where he obtained his Masters. He taught the educationally handicapped for 15 years. Bob joined the Waterloo Lions in Stockton in 1988 as their first non Italian member where he held many offices. He transferred to the Fallon Lions and served 2 terms as president. The Lions of Nevada elected Bob their District Governor in 2003. Bob married his wife Barba in 2007 and spent many happy years traveling throughout the world. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Otho and Ernestine Cole; sibling, Joyce Weitz; daughter, Robin Cole; and Wives, Sally Cole and Carol Cole. He is survived by his wife, Barba and exwife, Shirley Cole; children and spouses, Robert Cole Jr. (Lorraine); Rhonda Barrett (Gary) Rosanne Cole; Eric Cole (Kerstin); Monique Cole. Step grandchildren, Kathy & Dick Zancanella; Linda and Brian, Schultze; Greg and Christy Baciocco; Kathy & Bill Crawford; Lory and Jeff Rehne; grandchildren and spouses, Rex Barrett and Lanie; Luke Barrett and Angela; Edward Fuchs and Reni; Keegan Cole, Nicholas Suchil; 7 step grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren and 1 step great grandchild. Donations may be sent to the Lions Club Eye Foundation, P.O. Box 7999 San Francisco, CA 94120. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 1st at 11:00 am at Smith Family Funeral Home, 505 Rio Vista Dr. in Fallon, NV. Graveside services with military honors will follow at 1:00 pm at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Fernley, NV. There will also be a Memorial service on Saturday, April 2nd at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church on South Taylor St. in Fallon.
