Missouri State Veterans Cemetery - Springfield

Colonel Robert (Bob) Stuart Coulter, USMC 

Colonel Robert (Bob) Stuart Coulter, USMC (Ret) passed peacefully on July 16, 2021 in Springfield, Missouri.  

He was born July 8, 1938, in Springfield, Missouri to the late Robert and Willa (Webb) Coulter.

He is survived by his loving and caring wife of the past 63 years, Linda (Barnard) Coulter.  He is also survived by his three daughters; Cathy (husband Colonel Mike Rudolph, USMC (Ret) of Carlisle, PA), Colonel Carrie Perry, USMCR (Ret) (husband Colonel Steven Perry, USA (Ret) of Ozark, MO), and Christy Riel (husband Lieutenant Colonel Dave Riel, USAF (Ret) of Dayton, OH).  Bob was the proud patriarch of an extended family of six grandchildren (Bryan Rudolph, Christopher Rudolph (wife Lauren), Lori Dyer, Captain Robert S. Dyer USMC (wife Mikel), Jessi Riel, and Rachel Riel), and five great grandchildren (Wyatt Dyer, Everett Dyer, Clara Dyer, Ellie Dyer, and Jonah Kiser).  

Bob lived as a servant of Jesus Christ dedicated to his family, the Body of Christ and his nation.  He was an overcomer, battling the challenges of Parkinson's disease for more than two decades.  He did not complain and inspired all who knew him with his strong resiliency.  He embraced Jesus' gift of abundant life - choosing to fully be who God designed him to be.  

Bob possessed an amazing mix of incredible intellect and talents, and he demonstrated them throughout his life.  He was the rock of his family and extended family – always attuned to everyone’s needs and available to provide timely and astute mentoring, guidance, and wisdom for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was a career combat tested Marine officer serving in Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam conflict and as a combat deterrent during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  After he retired from the Marine Corps, he served as a Marine Corps Junior ROTC instructor, positively mentoring and influencing countless young American high school students in Washington state and South Carolina.

Bob graduated from Paseo High School in Kansas City, Missouri, the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks earning multiple degrees..

He was commissioned as an officer of United States Marines in June of 1960.  He served in a variety of Command and supporting billets throughout his 24 years on active duty, to include highly sensitive and unique positions for which he was hand-picked by Headquarters Marine Corps to represent our Nation as an expert military advisor in Taiwan and as the Defense Attaché at the United States Embassy in Dakar, Senegal in Africa.  Linda proudly and meritoriously served at Bob’s side and supported our Nation as an ambassador for our Nation during both of these challenging and demanding tours of duty.  Colonel Coulter also served in combat to support and defend our Nation in Vietnam during 1966 and 1967.   His last tour on active duty was as the Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of the Navy ROTC Unit at the University of Michigan 

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps in 1984, Bob and Linda returned to the Pacific Northwest and made their home in Port Angeles, WA.  After ten years of enjoying the beauty of the area, hosting family and friends, and sharing their “Coulter Camp” with the grandchildren they moved back ‘home’ to Missouri to be close to their aging parents.  They found a great place to live on the Niangua River in Buffalo, MO where their home once again became a wonderful place for their children and grandchildren to gather.  One of the highlights of this season of Bob's life was to make field trips with all six grandchildren to national parks and scenic regions of the United States.  Memories abound of Bible devotions, beautiful vistas, picnic lunches, field trip T-shirts, and much laughter as Grandpa entertained everyone with jokes and made-up songs.

For over 20 years, Bob served as a member of The Gideons International in both the Dallas County and Springfield South Camps.  He formed deep friendships with his Gideon brothers and was honored to serve as the Missouri State Faith Fund Coordinator and to serve as an active Camp Member.  Bob welcomed many other opportunities to serve, including loving on the children in the nursery (Bob the Builder), supporting church functions, teaching classes and sharing with those in need by volunteering in the Food Pantry.  He loved people and experiencing life with them.  Bob leaves a legacy of service, commitment, laughter, and a deep desire to bring glory to Jesus Christ!  

Colonel Coulter’s personal awards and citations include:  the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, and numerous Vietnam campaign medals.

Colonel Robert Stuart Coulter was buried in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery on 22 July 2021 with full Military Honors for his honorable and faithful service to our Nation and to his Family.

Rest in peace faithful warrior, Colonel of Marines, and faithful servant to your family.  You will be sorely missed, but never ever forgotten.

Semper Fidelis

ROBERT S COULTER

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