Robert Thompson “Bob” Bey passed away on February 8, 2018 after battling cancer with the same courage he brought to the rest of his life. Bob, age 92, was the only child of Bernard and Norma Bey of Zanesville, Ohio. Growing up, Bob worked in the family cheese shop and was a starting offensive and defensive lineman for the Zanesville High School football team. He met his future wife, Ann Elizabeth (Betty) in elementary school and they began dating in high school. He had hoped to play collegiate football, but instead enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served in the closing days of World War II. After the war ended, Bob completed a Bachelor’s degree at Denison University and was commissioned an officer in the Marines Corps. He later completed a Master’s in Education from Stanford University. Bob’s military career took him and his family to Washington, DC, Ohio, California, North Carolina, and Northern Virginia. Bob served in the Korean War at the Chosin Reservoir , earning two Purple Hearts and Silver Star for bravery, saving the lives of many despite his own gunshot wound. He also served in the Vietnam War in his early forties. His favorite military assignment was the years he and his family spent in Bangkok, Thailand. While there, Bob developed a love for Thai food and culture, and even learned to speak a bit of Thai. He and Betty bought Thai furniture, art work, and sculpture, which would adorn their home going forward. He also deepened his love of photography in Thailand, and his photographs have been displayed in Thai restaurants in Virginia and Florida. Bob retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel and embarked on a real estate career in Northern Virginia. In the late 1970s, Bob saw the promise of Palm Coast, FL, and purchased the land adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway on which he and Betty would eventually build their dream home and retire. The Beys split time between Northern Virginia and Palm Coast for many years before permanently settling in Palm Coast in 1992. Bob had a passion for golf, playing well into his 80s, and was an enthusiastic football fan of the Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars. He loved playing pool in the billiards room in his home in Virginia, and spent many hours trying to teaching his grandchildren (with varying degrees of success). He continued to enjoy travel, journeying to Alaska, Hawaii, and back to Korea in recent years. He remained active with retired military groups and his faith community throughout his lifetime. On Veterans Day 2017, he spoke at Flagler County’s Veterans Day ceremony. The Beys celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in June 2017. Bob’s love of life and sense of humor were evident to all who met him, and he had many favorite catch phrases including “that’s a self-inflicted wound”. Well into his 80s, he often used the phrase “that’s for old people” to describe those other than himself. Bob is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Barbara (Mike) Jackson, son Larry (Kim) Bey, grandchildren Bill Hoovler, Emily McCarthy, Bridget Allen (Bobby Hendry), and Mike Allen (Lisa Myers), and his great-grandchildren Carys Rose and Judge Cash Hendry. He was pre-deceased by his daughters Deborah Hoovler and Elayne Allen. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Triangle, Virginia or the American Cancer Society. A Celebration of Life will be held at Lohman Funeral Home, Palm Coast, on Thursday, February 15 at 4:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 3:00 to 4:00pm. Burial will be at a later date, with full military honors, in Arlington National Cemetery. Condolences may be shared with the family here on our online guestbook.
