Obituary

Robert Howard Estler
(May 21, 1918 - October 15, 2012)

Robert Howard "Bob" Estler, 94, went to be with the Lord on Monday October 15, 2012. He was born May 21, 1918, in Huntington, W.Va. son of the late William Strohmeier and Edith Kreis Campbell Estler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, brothers, William C. Estler, Graham L. Estler, and Carl I. Estler and sister Mary Katherine Jarrell. He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Mary Lou May Estler, three daughters Kathy (Dean) Williams, Melanie (Shawn) Coffman, and Dr. Mary Howard (Tony) Patrick, and five grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; Sarah and Phillip Bailey; Robert Tyler, Paige and Peter Coffman; and Kodie, Arianna and Carson Patrick. His priorities in life were faith in Jesus Christ, his family and friends. Bob was a member of Trinity Church of God in Huntington. He was also an active member of the Gideons. He especially enjoyed placing New Testament Bibles in the hands of young people. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Navy in the Naval Armed Guard. Bob worked 40 years for the "Nickel Plant," Huntington Alloys finishing his career as Supervisor of the Cold Draw Dept. He led a very full and adventuresome life. He was a naturalist, an avid hunter, taxidermist and horticulturalist. His introduction to taxidermy began at the age of 12. His growing taxidermy collection developed into a Natural History Museum for the surrounding community to enjoy. He donated his extensive collection of his lifetime work to start West Virginia University's Natural History Museum. Bob, in the early 1960s, developed his family's farm at Orchard Hills in Barboursville into a 9-hole community golf course. Bob proudly and with tender care continued the line of the family heirloom Mortgage Lifter tomatoes developed by his father and lovingly sharing his produce with others throughout the summer growing season. Bob will be remembered for his strong character, unwavering faith, charity, creativity, ingenuity, drive, zest for life, wisdom, and most of all, he exemplified Christ's character. As Bob told his grandson when he asked him at age 90 if his life had turned out like he had planned. Bob replied "No, I didn't plan it; the Lord did. I wouldn't change anything. I want to live out God's plan." Special thanks to Dr. Shawn Coffman for his steadfast devotion, wisdom and skill in caring for Bob. Also special thanks to the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House for their compassion and care for Bob and his family. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Trinity Church of God, Huntington, with Pastor Ken Toler officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Park, Route 60, Huntington. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville and after 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gideons or: WVU Foundation, Natural History Museum, 312A Percival Hall, P.O. Box 6125 Morgantown, WV 26506-6125.