Bernard Alan Coler's Obituary
Bernard Alan Coler was born Feb. 15, 1927. He passed away in St. Helens on March 14, 2010.
Bernie retired from Hewlett-Packard after a distinguished career in electrical engineering. He had a thirst for knowledge and a passion for giving to his community.
He entered the Navy at age 15 in World War I as a "striker radio man" because of his patriotism and was accepted at that age because he had been a HAM radio operator since the age of 9. He served at Pearl Harbor, the South Pacific and the Atlantic.
He was severely injured at Murmansk when a shell destroyed the bridge of a ship, and he was transported to the hospital state-side for treatment. He was in the hospital at the end of the war.
When he has recovered, he was asked to re-enlist, and he declined the offer. The very next day, he was back in class at Harvard University.
He graduate high school at the Bronx High School of Science, undergraduate and post-graduate work at Harvard University, New York University, and Stevens Institute of Technology. He was a member of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.
Bernie was a member of the sheriff's reserve on the east coast, California, and Oregon until his retirement and relocation to the Oregon coast. He was a member of the planning commission for San Mateo County.
After his retirement to the Oregon coast, he was a volunteer for RSVP of Lincoln County, a volunteer for the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a member of the Emergency Response Team for Lincoln County, an active member of the HAM club and a lifetime member of the Quarter century HAM club.
He most enjoyed his many years as a radio watch stander for the Coast Guard Auxiliary at Depoe Bay and was a training officer for the new recruits at the station. He participated in and passed each and every certification for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and was awarded many certificates for his participation and the hours spent in their services.
He was close to his coxswain certification, and was vice commander of the auxiliary, when illness forces his retirement from active duty with the auxiliary.
Bernie always gave back to his community and his nation. He was also a hospice volunteer with Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and thoroughly enjoyed his duties and clients.
Bernie and Carla had recently moved to Columbia County.
Bernie was a marvelous husband, a father that doted on his daughter and took great pride in his wife's and daughter's accomplishments. He was a great friend to all he knew, a community activist that was tenacious and an understanding and compassionate family man. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of working with and knowing him.
He is survived by his wife, Carla; his daughter Diane Coler of St. Helens; son-in-law in heart, Walker Belnman; and granddaughter in heart Hannah Blenman Cross; cousins Barry and Mimi Follick and their children and grandchildren.
There will be no services by his request, but his ashes will be scattered at his beloved buoy No. 9 in Depoe Bay. He can rest with his sea and creatures he loved to care for and learn about.
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