Robert A. Hume., 89, of Columbiana, passed away Jan. 28.

Bob was born in Warsaw, New York on March 15, 1917.

He graduated from Silver Springs High School, Silver Springs, New York in 1934 and received degrees from Alfred University in New York, Kansas State University, Kansas, and the University of Montevallo, Alabama.

Enlisting in the Army in 1939, he served his country with distinction for 25 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. As a B-29 Command Pilot he was awarded numerous decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Presidential Unit Citation for his actions during eight major battle campaigns in WWII and Korea.

During this time his life was spared, by the grace of God, to be used for a greater cause. The rest of his life was dedicated to his community.

He initially worked with Civil Defense then spent the next 15 years as a teacher in public schools where his positive examples of citizenship and patriotism touched an entire generation. He organized the formation of Boy Scout Troop 560 and as Scoutmaster, used his spare time traveling across America with boy scouts.

His tireless volunteer work through church and civic organizations helped make Columbiana a great place to live, but his proudest moments were seeing over 30 of America&8217;s finest young men become Eagle Scouts.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Wood of Columbiana.

Surviving him are his sisters, Avis Manfredi of Long Branch, New Jersey, and Gertrude Hamm of Java Center, New York; sons, Robert Hume, Jr. (Suzie) of Mentone, Alabama, Alan Hume (Cristiane) of Hoover, Alabama, and David Hume (Jan) of Auburn, Alabama; daughters Lucia Donia of Mary Ester, Florida, and Kathy Hume of Columbiana, Alabama; 8 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home in Columbiana.

Following a 1 p.m. viewing on Friday, February 2 at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana, funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Charles Stroud officiating.

Graveside services will be held following the service at Columbiana City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bill Nichols State Veterans Home, 1784 Elkatchee Rd., Alexander City, Alabama 35010