Elmer Robert Nuttall

Elmer (Ernie) Robert Nuttall, 97, of Crystal Beach, Florida, died peacefully on Monday, December 5, 2016 with his family at his side. Born September 13, 1919 in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and as Ernie always said his birth date was a “palindrome- 9/13/19”, he was the son of Reuben and Clara Nuttall. Ernie graduated from West Chester High School, where he lettered in football, track and baseball. He attended Rutgers University where he studied mechanical engineering. He was a machinist at the Naval Aircraft factory in Philadelphia where he worked for three years and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. He received an appointment as an aviation cadet completing pre-flight training at Pensacola, Florida Naval Air Station. In 1943, he graduated to Naval Aviator (Lieutenant) and was a pilot and instructor in dive bombing and night fighter squadrons. His aircraft duty was aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea. He finished his active duty in 1946 and continued flying in the Navy Reserve until 1958. He was also a student and teacher of the Dale Carnegie Institute. He moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1957, where he lived for 53 years. He was self employed as a manufacturer’s representative for France Compressor Products where he worked for 36 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and also the Lion’s Club. Ernie moved to Crystal Beach, Florida in 2010. He is survived by sons Woody and his wife Sue of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Kevin and his wife Linda of Crystal Beach, Florida; 3 grandsons- Travis and his wife Nikkia, Todd and Chris and his wife Mai; 7 great grand children. He was predeceased by his wife Evelyn, who was a U.S. Navy WAVE, and passed away in 1959, his brother, Charles, his long time girl friend, Ruth Soles, and also his granddaughter, Lindsey. Ernie was very memorable, displaying his quick wit, compassion, perfect memory, positive attitude and at the same time always reminding you things had to be done “his way”! He enjoyed weekly grocery shopping at Publix, grooming our German Shepherd, Chance, talking with his friends and neighbors, being entertained by his great grandkids, watching CNBC, home cooked meals, playing corn toss (and winning), beating everyone at Jeopardy, and all of the beautiful sunsets over the Gulf. Ernie's wishes were to be buried in Florida, along with his granddaughter, Lindsey and also near his longtime friend, Col. Ralph Leslie, who was a WWII B-24 bomber pilot and his wife Betty.