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Robert Clemens Cossman 1924 - 2007

Robert Clemens Cossman of Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ was born on May 4, 1924 in Duryea, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania United States, and died at age 83 years old on October 8, 2007 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ. Robert Cossman was buried at National Memorial Cemetery Of Arizona Section C7 Row A Site 22 23029 North Cave Creek Road, in Phoenix.

Robert Clemens Cossman

Bob Cossman

Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85020

May 4, 1924

Duryea, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

October 8, 2007

Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

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Robert Clemens Cossman Robert Cossman (1924 - 2007)

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Robert Clemens Cossman's History: 1924 - 2007

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05/4

1924

Birthday

May 4, 1924

Birthdate

Duryea, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Robert Clemens Cossman was born to parents Edward Cossman and Julia Fudala. His mother Julia was born on July 10, 1905 in Pennsylvania and grew up in Duryea, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA. She lived there most of her life and passed away there in November of 1970. His father Edward was born on October 12, 1900 in Pennsylvania and also grew up in Duryea, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA. His father was born in Austria and his mother was born in Germany. He passed away in October of 1979 in Duryea, PA.
Nationality & Locations

Robert Cossman was born and raised in Duryea Luzer, Pennsylvania. He later resided in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona.
Early Life & Education

Robert had two brothers; Harold Edward Crossman (1927-1977) and Donald Charles Crossman (1932-2012). Bob's enduring passion for technology commenced during his high school years when he became an amateur radio operator (W7 MBB). He actively participated in the Amateur Radio Relay League and Society of Wireless Pioneers, earning the distinction of being an original "brass-masher," showcasing mastery of the Morse code key.
Military Service

In 1941, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines, taking on the role of Communications Officer. Throughout the war, he served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. Post-war, he utilized his skills as an airline radio operator for American Overseas Airlines, facilitating flights to and from Europe. His contributions extended to participating in the Berlin Air Lift from 1948 to 1949.
Professional Career

Robert worked in the realms of commercial radio and television in New York, serving as a sound technician "behind the camera" alongside pioneers like Walter Cronkite and Eric Sevareid. Subsequently, he pursued careers with Xerox, Motorola, and other companies, engaging with early computers such as UNIVAC in the industry. Later, he transitioned into field engineering, specializing in point-of-sale (POS) bar code recognition systems for significant retail clients. His illustrious career culminated in his retirement in 1991 as Vice-President of Field Engineering at Motorola.
Personal Life & Family

An engaged participant in the Desert Mariners Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans in Phoenix, he dedicated many years to the role of Treasurer. In 1996, Bob, alongside fellow U.S. service veterans, received recognition in Australia and New Zealand during ANZUS Day celebrations. Beyond his maritime contributions, he exhibited a passion for skiing, with his most recent visit to the Sunrise resort occurring in April the year he passed. Robert was married to Rose and together they had a son Robert and daughters Susan and Julie.
10/8

2007

Death

October 8, 2007

Death date

complications from cancer surgery.

Cause of death

Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona United States
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
National Memorial Cemetery Of Arizona Section C7 Row A Site 22 23029 North Cave Creek Road, in Phoenix, Az 85024
Burial location
Obituary

Robert Clemens Cossman, World War II Merchant Marine veteran and Field Service engineer, died October 8, 2007 in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 83 of complications from cancer surgery. Bob was born in Duryea, Pennsylvania and joined the Merchant Marines in 1941 as a Communications Officer. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres during the war and after worked as an airline radio operator for American Overseas Airlines, flying to and from Europe. He participated in the Berlin Air Lift in 1948-49. He also worked in commercial radio and in television in New York as a sound technician "behind the camera" with Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevareid and other early news pioneers. He went on to careers with Zerox, Motorola and other companies, working on UNIVAC and other early computers in the industry, and later in field engineering on point-of-sale (POS) bar code recognition systems for major retail clients. He retired in 1991 from Motorola as Vice-President of Field Engineering. Bob had a lifelong love of technology, beginning as an amateur radio operator in high school (W7 MBB). He was a member of the Amateur Radio Relay League and Society of Wireless Pioneers, and was an original "brass-masher", a master of the Morse code key. He was an active member of the Desert Mariners Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans in Phoenix, serving many years as Treasurer. Bob and other U.S. service veterans were honored in Australia and New Zealand in 1996 as part of ANZUS Day celebrations. He was also an enthusiastic skier, having last visited the Sunrise resort in April of this year. He is survived by his wife Rose; son Robert of Battle Ground, Washington; daughters Susan of Dallas and Julie of Great Falls, Montana; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be Thursday, October 25th at 12:30 pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Merchant Marine Veterans. Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) Monday, October 22, 2007

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2 Memories, Stories & Photos about Robert

Lizzie Kunde

27.7k+ favorites

10/24/2023

Robert Clemens Cossman Obituary Photo

Photo that was printed alongside the Robert Clemens Cossman: Obituary in the Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) on Monday, October 22, 2007.

Date & Place: October 22, 2007 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona United States

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Bill Gray

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10/23/2023

MEMORY OF BOB COSSMAN

In 1964, Bob & I were Computer Field Engineers for Scientific Data Systems, Santa Monica, CA. That was when we teamed to install an SDS computer at MIT Lincoln Labs. Bob and I were friends as well as co-workers.

During the time we were at Lincoln Labs, I had the opportunity to visit his home and have dinner with he and his wife. At his home, I noticed a very nice sketch done of him and commented, "That almost looks like the lady in Greenwich Village who drew me several years ago." Looking closer, I saw her signature - quite a coincidence. Bob and I had both visited Greenwich Village, just a few years apart.

Today I was looking through my archives and found an old security clearance for me Bob and me to enter the MIT Lincoln Labs. I googled Bob and found that he had passed away a few years back in Arizona. That is becoming too common these days when looking for old friends. I just want to say that I really liked working with Bob and had great respect for him.

Bill Gray, Corona, CA
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