Robert Loren Drake

Robert Loren Drake, age 97, died peacefully in his sleep May 20, 2017 at his home in Mesa, Arizona. A graveside service with Military Honors will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona for family members. He will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Velma. A Memorial Service will be held for friends at 12:00 p.m. July 18th to celebrate the life of Bob Drake at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 400 S. Power Road, Mesa 85206. Light refreshments will follow the service.

Robert (Bob) was born on July 26, 1919 in Stalwart, Saskatchewan, Canada to William Henry and Iva May (Hubbard) Drake. His parents were American citizens from Wichita, Kansas who moved to Canada to try farming in 1913. They found it to their liking and stayed to farm and raise their three sons. Bob received his education in Sask. (riding a horse six miles uphill both ways in a blizzard as he used to tell his children when they wanted a ride to school!) Upon completing school he decided farming wasn't for him. He moved to Washington in the United States to work on the Grand Coulee Dam. From there he moved to Northern California and worked on the Shasta Dam Project until he was drafted into the service in 1942.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II as a Tech/Sergeant with the 15th Air Force on a B-17 Bomber. His plane was shot down over Bulgaria and he spent eight months as a Prisoner of War. He was awarded a Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal among others. He served in the European Theater for three years.

Bob returned to the United States and began working as a crane operator and a steel erector. He became a steel foreman/ superintendent building dams, power houses, bridges, missile sites and nuclear power stations throughout California, Nevada, Missouri, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and West Africa. He retired from Bechtel Power Corporation after 17 years in 1985.

Bob was a member of the BPOE Elks Apache Junction # 2349, the PAP Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, the International Association BSO & R Iron Workers, the Ironworker Local 118 in Sacramento, California, the Operating Engineers Local # 3 in San Francisco, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association. He was an active member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, East Valley Chapter.

Bob and Velma made Mesa their retirement location. He was an avid golfer playing courses around the world. The highlight of his golfing life was a Hole-in-One at the Arizona Golf Resort. He made lifelong friends through the sport. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing and playing cards with friends as well as traveling with family and friends Every Saturday Bob met with a group of men at a local Denny's for breakfast. They called themselves the R.O.M.E.O.S. which stood for "Retired Old Men Eating Out On Saturdays." They had a great time cussin' and discussin' world affairs. He enjoyed watching Preacher Joel Osteen on Sunday Mornings with Velma. He professed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Bob was preceded in death by this loved and loving wife Velma (Clausen) Drake; his parents William Henry and Iva May (Hubbard) Drake; and his brothers and sisters-in laws Richard and Esther Drake and John and Dulcie Drake.

Bob is survived by this daughters Diana M. Romell, (William) of Mesa and Donna Lea Miller (John) of San Jose; his son Robert W. Drake (Donna) of Mesa; his nieces Susan Drake of Huntington Beach, California and Colleen Tannahill (Blake) of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bob is also survived by his seventeen grandchildren: Tami Pena Campos Renteria, Chris Miller (Missi), Cyndi Romell Eppler, Vince Romell (Sharee), Amanda Drake Vaia (Dino), Jocelyn Drake Reed (Eric), Kristen drake Lundeen (David), MaureenPlante, Erin Scheid Thoms (Will), Jordan Drake, Manny Drake, Felix Drake, Mariah Drake, Karina Drake, Kaylene Drake, Michael Drake, and Ellie Drake; and twenty-two great-grandchildren: Alex Campos, Anthony Campos, Gia Renteria, Melody Miller, Ryan Miller, Caitlyn Romell, Hannah Romell, Zane Youker (step-great-grandson), Wesley Reed, Colin Reed, Eric Reed, Brady Reed, Nicolaus Lundeen, Gabby Lundeen, John Lundeen, Sofie Lundeen, Emelie Lundeen, Owen Lundeen, Tatum Lundeen, Maddie Thoms, Zoey Thoms, and Gio Thoms.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Hospice of the Valley. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care were a heartwarming blessing to the entire family. In lieu of flowers the family encourages a donation to Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org) in the names of Robert and Velma Drake