Robert Alfred Bate, age 83, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Robert was born September 7, 1937. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert B. Wilks and Lucy A. Bowen and wife, Charlotte Bate. He is survived by his sons, Robert Bate (Donna) and Steven Bate (Christie); grandchildren, Trey Bate, Lynnsey Bate Robinson (Isaac), Steven Bate, Nicholas Bate, Devin Bate, Bella Bate and Sarah Bate; great grandchildren, Riley, Rhett and Gavin and his first cousin Ann Skipper and many nieces and nephews. He served in the U. S. Air Force after high school as a bombardier during the Korean War. After his military service he started his career with Otis Elevator in Washington, DC. He was transferred to Alabama where he started his own company, "Vulcan Elevator." He never lost his love for aircraft and had several planes of his own and used them to transport burned and crippled children to the Shriners Hospital for treatment as part as the Shriners Flying Fez. Bob was active in the Zamora Shrine for many years. His other love was motorcycles and later he was active in the motor corps of the Shrine. He so enjoyed riding his motorcycle and made his dream bucket list trip to ride across Ireland. He lead a full and blessed life and we are all happy to have had him to bless ours.
A funeral service for Robert will be held Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at11:00 AM at Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211.
The services will be live streamed on Facebook. Just click on the following link on the day and time of the service: https://www.facebook.com/RidoutsElmwood
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Bate family.
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