Robert Ray Boles, Sr.
April 9, 1947 ~ October 30, 2017
Robert Boles, Sr. 70, of Leonardtown, MD, formerly from Avondale, MO passed away on October 30, 2017 at his home. Born on April 9, 1947 in Avondale, MO he was the loving son of the late Mary Irene Warren Boles and Wilson Lee Boles. Robert was the loving husband of Miriam Ellen Gentzler Boles whom he married on June 3, 1970 in Hollywood, MD. Robert is survived by his children; Robert “Bobby” Boles, Jr. (Naomi) of Leonardtown, MD, Reena Williams (Chris) of Lexington Park, MD, 5 grandchildren; Samantha Boles, Robby Boles, Austin Williams, Boyd Williams, and Careena Williams. Siblings; Lousie Boles and Ival Boles.
He graduated from North Kansas City high school. He graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.
Robert served in the United States Navy from October, 1964to Aug, 1995, retiring after 30 years. He was stationed in VR-881 Olathe, KS from Oct. 1964 – July 1966, VR-24 Det Rota, Spain from July, 1966 – July, 1968, VQ-4 Patuxent River, MD from Aug, 1968 – Aug, 1971, ADJ “B” NATTC Memphis, TN from Aug, 1971 – Dec. 1972, VR-24 Det Rota, Spain from Jan, 1972 – Jan, 1975, AD”C7” NATTC Memphis, TN from Feb, 1975 – Jun, 1975, VQ-4 Patuxent River, MD from Jun, 1975 – May, 1980, ENRO Orlando, FL from May, 1980 – July, 1980, NRS Kingsport, TN Aug, 1980 – May, 1981, NATTC Memphis, TN from June, 1981 to July, 1984, VQ-4 Patuxent River, MD from Aug, 1984 – June, 1987, NAMO Patuxent River, MD from July, 1987 – Sept, 1991, VXN-8 Patuxent River, MD from Sept, 1991 – Dec, 1993, NAWC Patuxent River, MD from Dec, 1993 – Aug, 1995. While serving in the United States Navy he earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation (6), Battle “E”(5), Navy Good Conduct Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal (2), Navy Marine Overseas Ribbon (2), Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Navy Commendation. Robert was a United States Navy E-8 Flight Engineer Mechanic, and U.S. Government Logistician, retiring in 2010. Robert was flight engineer on C-130 aircraft with well over 10,000 hours logged. He loved his job and the Navy. He was Chapter Service Officer for the Disabled American Veteran’s St. Mary’s #26. He helped many veterans locally and wherever he was needed. He had an office on the base at the Fleet and Family Service Center on Fridays for many years. He loved helping fellow veterans.
Robert was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Elk’s, and Masons. He loved being outdoors and spending time with his family.
The family will receive friends on Monday, November 6, 2017 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM, followed by Elk’s prayers at 7:15 and Mason Service at 7:30 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 10:00 AM with Pastor Don G. Geller, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be; Lamarr Couser, Tony Newman, Ralph Gough, Antonio Herrera, Thomas Vorse, and Frank Williams.
Contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans St. Mary’s Chapter #26 P.O> Box 788 Hollywood, MD 20636.
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Miriam,
I just learned of your loss late today via email. I cannot be there physically to hug you and say “I am sorry for your loss” but I can be there in thought and prayer for you and your family.
Robert will be in my thoughts and prayers at Mass this weekend. I firmly believe he is no longer in pain and is whole again.
God bless and keep you.
Miriam, I am sorry for your loss of Bob. He was such a good friend and so instrumental in helping me and so many other disabled veterans with their VA claims. He was a true miracle worker. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. Please accept my most sincere condolences and may God bless him forever more. RIP, Bob.
Dear Miriam,
May your faith sustain you and may the love and prayers of those who care comfort you.
May the peace of the LOrd be with you.
Always,
Bill and Barbara
Miriam,
We would like to extend our sincere condolences to you and the extended family during this time of grief. Bob made such a lasting impact in the lives of countless veterans.
I had the privilege of working with Bob at NAVAIR in the aircraft engine propulsion group. He was a gentleman and talented colleague. May God shine perpetual light upon Senior Chief Bob and all those affected by his passing.
Miriam,
You and your family are in our prayers. Robert was truly an angel here on earth. Peace be with you now and always.
Kelly and Ramon Stone
So sorry to hear of the passing of Bobby. I flew with him in VQ-4 many times. He was a great guy and I will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace.
Dear Mariam,
I am so sorry 😐 for your loss, Mr.Bob was a great man I learned a lot from him over the years. He was such a giving and caring person. I don’t think their was a Veteran that he would not help. Me he Rest In Peace.
If there is anything you need please let me pay the difference that wa if there is anything you need please let me know
Kelly
Miriam, I am so sorry to hear of Robert’s passing. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Cathy
Flew with Bobby in VQ-4 and it was a pleasure to serve with him. His memories will keep you at peace. My deepest sympathy.
Ron
Bobby was one of the “good guys”. He will be missed not only in the VQ community, but by every-one who ever knew him.
When Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “He spake well who said that graves are the footprints of angels.” — it would seem that he had Bobby in mind.
Miriam, I cannot express my sorrow for what you are going through. God will give you strength and peace. Memories will help you go on. I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing him. I will not be able to attend the funeral because I have to work, but my thoughts will be with you.
Miriam, We are sincerely sorry for your loss. We fondly recall being your neighbors back in the 70’s. Bobby was always willing to lend a hand then and also throughout our Navy careers and beyond. Condolences to you and your family.
-Charleston, SC
Miriam
I was sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Quilter Friend
Peggy O’Brien23
Reena & Family,
I’m sorry to hear the loss of your father & grandfather. My prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry for your loss, Miriam. You and yours are in my thoughts.
Sheila Pilling
I am so saddened by Bobby’s passing. I knew him in the Navy and really got to know him working at NAVAIR. He was always smiling and fun to talk to. He will be missed.
I knew Bobby from Memphis and VQ-4. He was a good man and will be missed by many. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Jim
Bobby and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
CP, Louise, Samantha and Carmen
And the world looses another good man, way too soon..
Rob and I worked together for many years and shared common interests. He will be missed by all of us! And I know that sending condolences & prayers to his family may only be small, if any, comfort at this time of loss, but please know that he was a good man, and he left the world a better place from his presence. Rest in peace, brother-in arms!
And the world looses another good man, way too soon..
Rob and I worked together for many years and shared common interests. He will be missed by all of us! And I know that sending condolences & prayers to his family may only be small, if any, comfort at this time of loss, but please know that he was a good man, and he left the world a better place from his presence. Rest in peace, brother-in arms!
Miriam, I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Bob was a real shipmate, both during his active duty and in his retirement as an advocate for his disabled military brothers and sisters. I am very glad I had the opportunity of seeing Bob and you at the last VR-24 Det reunion. Find strength in Family and Friends and remember all things that made Bob what he was.
Miriam, My sincere condolences to you and your family for your loss. Robert was a great father and family member. He was a very important and integral part of our Disabled American Veterans Chapter and a mentor to so many, especially to those who wanted to be Chapter Service Officers and assist veterans with their VA benefits, especially filling claims for compensation. Robert was so good at it, he had most of the compensation data memorized. He was a great help to us al and will be greatly missed. He was a true patriot and comrade. I pray that the Lord quickly guides you through your mourning period and that Robert experiences everlasting life. Peace be with you.
Miriam, We are so sorry to hear of Robert’s passing. He was always the first to provide unselfish help to anyone. He will be truly missed by all that knew him. Our prayers are with you. Rest in Peace Shipmate.
Robert was a very dedicated man in helping every veteran he could with their disability requests to the VA. He was a past commander and service officer in our DAV chapter and held an office in some state positions. He was truly “The Veterans Friend”. Rest in peace my fellow veteran and my friend.
I am truly sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. Many prayers for you and your family now and in the coming times. He was definitely one of the good guys. Much love from our family. Sincerely, Katherine
Miriam, Bobby, Reena and Family, Rest assured Robert will be with you always. “Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are.” May God be with you as Robert is now with Him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
It is is great sadness that I read of Bobby’s death. He was a good friend during our time serving in VQ4. I made multiple deployments with Bobby and he was always willing to do what ever it took get the job done. Rest in peace my friend.
Roger