Robert R. Coleman

Robert Raymond Coleman, age 81, of Gilboa, NY, formerly of Gratz, Pa., died Saturday, Jan 14, 2006, at Fox Hospital, Oneonta, NY. He was born in Lykens Twp, Dauphin Co, Pa, on Ajpril 27, 1924, a son of the late Austin W. and Buella A. (Klinger) Coleman. He was a graduate of the former Gratz High School and Hegins Twp High School. He enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1942. He than graduated from four Air Force Specialist Schools, and was placed in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Reserve Program. He served as Flight Engineer on the B-17 Flying Fortress. His last assignment was as Crew Chief and Flight Engineer for the Commanding General, 13th Bomber Command in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of operations. Sergeant Coleman was awarded the following medals- Good Conduct, WWII Victory, American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater, Phillippine Liberation, and Air Medal. Following the years in the Air Force he graduated from Willimsport Technical Institute and the Quaker City School of Aeronautics. He was employed by the Piasecki Helicopter Corporation and the Baldwin Locomotive Works as a Diesel Test Engineer. In 1947 he married Annic C. Schlegel and purchased a farm in Lykens Twp, Dauphin Co., Pa. While farming Bob was Secretary of the Upper Dauphin County Young Farmers Group and President of the Dauphin County Farmers Association. He was a former Deacon, President of the Joint Consistories, Chairman of the Building Committee, Adult Sunday School Teacher, and Sunday School Superintendent at Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz. After selling the farm he accepted a position as a Regional Organization Director for the New York Farm Bureau and moved to the Catskill Mountain Area. During that time he was promoted to several management positions. The National American Farm Bureau Federation offered him a position in the Chicago Office which he accepted. After several management positions he retired as the Director of Special Marketing Services and moved back to the Catskill Mountains of New York. He was a life member of the VFW Diamond Jubaliee Post 2385, Gratz. He enjoyed tractor restoration, hunting, and fishing. He is survived by his wife Annie C. Schlegel Coleman, to whom he was married for 58 years; by two sons James L Coleman, Stamford, NY, and Thomas W. Coleman, Castelton, NY.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister Sarah Beck, Carlisle. He was preceded in death by two brothers Charles Coleman and Mark A. Coleman; and by three sisters Ethel Gurtz, Ruth Lebo, and Hilda Fleegal. Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, at Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz, Pa, with Rev. Barry Ridge officiating. Burial was made in Union Cemetery, Gratz, Pa. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, Pa, was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com

Robert R. Coleman

January 1, 1753 - January 14, 2006