This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Coler, Applebaum, Blenman, Cross, Follick, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/5307/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The News Guard Lincoln City, OR March 17, 2010 Bernard Coler Bernard Alan Coler died March 14, 2010, in St. Helens. He was 83. He was born Feb. 15, 1927, in New York, N.Y. to Marius and Rachel Applebaum. Bernie entered the U.S. 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 the ship, and he was transported to the hospital stateside for treatment. He was in the hospital at the end of the war. He graduated high school at the Bronx High School of Science and did his 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. He married his wife, Carla, on April 10, 1976, in Lancaster, Calif. 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. 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 and the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a member of the Community 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 its service. He was close to his coxswain certification and was vice commander of the auxiliary, when illness forced his retirement from active duty. 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. He is survived by his wife, Carla; his daughter, Diane Coler; son-in-law in heart, Walter Blenman; granddaughter in heart, Hannah Blenman Cross; and 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 #9 in Depoe Bay. Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens is handling the arrangements. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.