Obituary of Robert Searles

Robert W. Searles, 90, of Olean, and a longtime resident of Rochester passed away peacefully Friday (June 13, 2014) in the presence of his two sons. Born October 19, 1923 in Peckville, PA he was the son of Harold A. and Isabel Clarkson Searles. On November 16, 1944 in Elkton, MD he married Jeanne L. Revels who predeceased him December 16, 1997. Mr. Searles graduated from Blakely High School in Peckville and immediately joined the US Navy where he proudly served for 30 years in a span covering WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Cold War era (including the Cuban Missile Crisis) and the Vietnam War. With Navy aviation as a career and aviation electronics as a specialty, his boot camp training started in Bainbridge, MD. During WWII he flew in blimps, defending US Liberty Ships. He flew with the Navy as a "hurricane hunter" as well. During the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960's his job as a radio electronics specialist was to monitor the path of enemy submarines. He served four tours of duty in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. His retirement from the US Navy was in 1970 in Philadelphia at which time he and his wife moved to New York State. He then worked for Monroe County in public safety communications. When he retired from Monroe County, he resided in Puerto Rico for eight years, after which he moved to Olean where he has lived for the past five years. He enjoyed traveling and especially tent camping with his family over the years. Another passion was as an amateur radio operator. Most recently he began writing his memoirs for his family to treasure. Surviving are two sons Jack (Kathy) Searles of Olean and Rev. Lawrence P. Searles, SJ of Puerto Rico; two grandchildren Emily (Bill, Jr.) Sorokes and Andrew (Stephanie) Searles; two great grandchildren Liam Searles and Adalynne Searles and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife he was predeceased by an infant daughter Nancy Jeanne Searles in 1952 and a sister Arline Powell. Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday (June 19, 2014) at 10:0am at St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Lawrence P. Searles, SJ, son of Mr. Searles, will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be at a future date in Archbald, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of the Cattaraugus County Nursing Homes, Inc. 2245 W. State St. Olean, NY 14760. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.