Robert Cotner

Robert A. "Bob" Cotner peacefully passed away at his home Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017.

He was the beloved son of Alvin and Myrtle Goetz Cotner, born May 6, 1933, in Cape Girardeau.

He attended May Greene School, Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in psychology.

He suffered the loss of his father when he was only 14 years of age and began working at Finney's Drug Store to assist his mother in sustaining the home and family endeavors.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a medic in the Korean War.

He worked at Finney's until graduating from the university and then began a successful career in pharmaceutical sales for Pfizer. He later became a valued employee of the state of Missouri as a disability-determinations officer, from which he retired at the age of 62. Bob had an amazing memory and enjoyed telling tales of his years in the sales industry and as a state employee, sharing many fond memories of those he met.

He was a skilled and avid outdoorsman and spent much of his time with dear friends and family fishing for crappie at lakes in the surrounding area, as well as hunting ducks and deer or anything in season. He enjoyed many trips to Canada to hunt and fish, as well as to the "squirrel woods" with a special group of friends he considered family.

He became a skilled ballplayer at a young age, and his favorite time of year was baseball season and summer. He umpired many local games of baseball and softball and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. He also enjoyed playing in poker tournaments, participating in shooting matches and competition hunts, as well as smoking his pipes and cigars while following the stock market. For years he was a dedicated member of the local AMVETS, Eagles and American Legion.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Cotner, who helped him live his life out at his home. He also is survived by other family near and dear to him, including Jennifer's stepfather and mother, Art and Nancy Mattingly; Ty Andrews; Tony Benkowich; Ruth/Burch Neel; the Brabson girls; Harriet Holly and family; Dr. Dan Cotner and family; the Diebolds; Darrell Brown; Jo Schneier; and many others, including his granddogs, Bubb, Sonny and Buck.

He was preceded in his death by his father, mother and a brother, John, who died at birth. Also preceding him in death were his mother's siblings, Ada Randol and Alma Harris, whom Bob helped to care for after the deaths of their husbands, as well his mother's brother, Col. Robert Goetz of West Point Military Academy.

A private, graveside service will take place this week at Lorimier Cemetery, with the Rev. Joseph Kelly of St. Mary's Cathedral officiating. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life April 2, which is opening day for the Cardinals, his favorite day of the year. The celebration will take place at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The celebration will begin at 2 p.m.

In honor of his memory, contributions to the Missouri Department of Conservation or the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri would be a way to ensure his kind, humble spirit lives on. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.crainsonline.com.