Rockel, Robert Howard

Robert “Bob” “Rocky” Howard Rockel, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
July 07, 1935 – November 15, 2014

Robert (Bob), 79, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Liberty Heights Retirement Community where he lived in Colorado Springs. Bob was born on July 7, 1935 to Roy and Cora (Dorwart) Rockel in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Bob was an only child. He graduated from Lehigh High School and attended Lehigh University.

Bob served as an Officer in the United States Air Force as an HH-53 helicopter pilot. This elite group of pilots were known as the Jolly Green Giant Rescue Crews! Their motto was “SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE! This is what Bob, or as the pilots called him “Rocky” lived by. Always helping others. During his beginning years as a pilot, he met and married Renna Jo Lively of Oxnard California.

Upon retiring from the Air Force after 30 years, Bob and his family moved to Dallas Texas. He wanted to spend more time with his family whom he loved very much! He then went to work for Flight Safety International as a Flight Simulator Instructor for 10 years.

After Bobs’ wife passed and his son Robb whom was only 41, passed, his daughter, Kimberly moved him up to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be close to them. He loved spending his retirement years with his family.

He was the kindest man we have ever known. Always looking for the good in everyone. Never did he have a negative comment. What a GIFT!!

Robert Rockel is preceded in death by his Mother Cora Rockel and Father Roy Rockel, wife Renna Jo (Lively) Rockel and his son Robert Edwin Rockel. He is survived by his daughter Kimberly June (Rockel) Tyler-her husband John and their children/ Bobs grandchildren: Mason Robert Tyler, Austin Alexander Tyler and Brysen Tyler/ and Robert Edwin Rockels son: Benjamin Donald Rockel.

FUNERAL SERVICE:
A Military grave site ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 10:00 am at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park at 5400 Valentine Road- Ventura California 93003 Ph (805) 642-1055

For all correspondence: The Ted Mayr Funeral Home is handling all arrangements, flowers etc., 3150 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura, California 93003 Ph# (805) 643-9977

An additional Memorial Service will be held later in Allentown Pennsylvania with all of Bobs’ friends and family. In a few months from now. To be announced later.

Please go on line if you would like and maybe tell us some stories that you may have about Bob, you can visit www.Swan-Law.com

In Memory of Bob’s wife Renna, Any donations may be made to: Association for FrontoTemporal Degeneration Radnor Station Bldg. #2, Ste. # 320290 King Of Prussia Rd., Radnor, PA 19087

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned

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