Robert Louis Cole – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend – passed away unexpectedly in Durham, NC on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. He was 71 years old.

Rob was born to Louis and Dorothy Cole in West Orange, NJ on June 3, 1951. He graduated from Palm Beach High School in West Palm Beach, FL, where he was a member of the track team, and then attended the University of Florida, where he became and remained an avid Gator fan until his final day. Early in his professional life he worked for Stringfellow Supply Company, where he became certified as an Architectural Hardware Consultant and enjoyed decades of work as a part of that team. He spent the final chapter of his career working for Assa Abloy DSS before retiring in 2020.

Rob married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Lyn Cole, and recently celebrated 51 years of marriage. He loved her with his whole heart and dedicated his life to being by her side. They raised their two children, Brian and Courtney, in Gainesville, Florida, after which they built a home in the mountains of Hiawassee, GA and then settled in Durham, NC to be closer to their children and five grandchildren. Being a grandfather was one of the supreme joys of Rob’s life, and all of his beloved grandchildren knew him as “Pappy.”

Throughout their lives together, Rob and Lyn shared a deep passion for animals and together raised numerous pets that were also members of their family. They were actively involved in supporting animal rescue, fostering and adoption.

Rob was known for his warmth and positive spirit that was infectious. Whether talking with a family member or friend, on the phone with a client or colleague, or chatting with another person standing in line at a store, he connected with people, listened to them, and was genuinely willing to help them with his servant heart. He loved to laugh (and did with his entire being), play board games with his family, and sit out by a fire together on a cool evening.

Rob had a love of camping that originated in his days as a Boy Scout, which then steadily progressed from tent camping with Lyn and the kids around the springs of North Florida, to annual trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains in a pop-up trailer, to 3–4-month long excursions with Lyn in their 5th-wheel camper to Alaska, Nova Scotia, and almost everywhere in between. Last year, he and Lyn crossed off 49 US states on their travel map and were well on their way to also covering all the provinces of Canada.

Rob is survived by his wife, Lyn Cole; his son, Brian Cole and his wife Iris; his daughter, Courtney Scott and her husband J.J., and his grandchildren Wyatt, Charlie, Elena, Gabriel, and Clara; and his sister-in-law, Amy Smith.

The family would like to thank the incredible nurses and doctors of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Duke Medical Center for their skills, wisdom, and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the Animal Protection Society of Durham (www.apsofdurham.org) in Rob’s name.

Plans for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. 

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