Robert "Bob" Everett Durie

LTC (retired) Robert "Bob" Everett Durie, 83, of Columbus, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 25, 2011, at St. Luke United Methodist Church with a reception immediately following in the Stockwell Hall according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus.

Bob was born February 23, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Roth Cornelius Durie and Blanche Curry Durie. Bob graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1946 and the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1952. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Averill Durie on June 13, 1953 in Montezuma, GA. During his military career, he attended flight school and became a U.S. Army pilot certified to fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He was a veteran of Korea and Vietnam Conflicts. He retired after twenty two years of active duty. Following his military career, he taught science at Brookstone School for over twenty years. He was an active community volunteer, supporting the Springer Theater, Callaway Gardens, and the Columbus Museum. As a museum docent, he enjoyed planning and leading educational trips to Europe. He was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and the Fellowship Sunday School Class.

Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years and his three children, Beth Cooper and her husband, Harris, of Durham, NC, Robert Durie and his wife, Carol, of Oxford, AL, and Becky Cottingham and her husband, Rich, of Alpharetta, GA. He is also survived by six grandchildren and one great grandson. The family is requesting that donations be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church or the charity of one's choice in memory of Bob. Condolences may be expressed at www.shcolumbus.com