Robert D. Creech

Robert (Bob) D.  Creech, age 84, of St Petersburg Florida, passed away Saturday January 22 2017, with family by his side. 

Bob was born on December 9, 1932 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Edward and Jessie (Harmon) Creech. He grew up in the great depression and was boarded at an early age.  At the age of 15 he signed up for the Merchant Marine telling the recruiters he was 18. His young age was quickly discovered and he was kicked out, but that did not stop Bob.  He turned around and joined the US Army.  When it was discovered that he was underage he was told if he could get his mother signature he could stay.  Bob spent his 17^th birthday in a foxhole in Korea.

Bob loved the US Army hence, it was the beginning of a family he never had. During the course of 23 years in the Army, he served three years in Foreign Services.  This was probably the best time in his life.  He and his family attended language school in Monterrey CA and they traveled with him to countries such as Germany, Greece and Indonesia.

Bob was a child when he started collecting stones and the curiosity was sparked. Devotion to stones grew as he read everything he could find on rocks, gemstones and minerals. During weekends and holidays the family would spend countless hours along country roads and gully’s, rock hunting.

Along with the stones, there was also an interest in seashells, stamps and coins. Over the years Bob traveled the world; mining stones, buying gemstones, collecting seashells and attending coin shows.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma M. Creech and son Robert L Creech. Survivors include son, Al Creech, (Connie) Austin Texas; Veronica Creech (Ronnie) wife of son Robert L Creech, six grandchildren, friend/confidant, Daphne Spotts and many other relatives.

Services will be held Friday January 27 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell Fla at 10:30amFriday January 27, 2017.