Robert Andrew Yuhas

Robert Andrew Yuhas, Capt. USCG (Ret.), 76, of Bonita Springs, FL, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Formerly of Smithsburg, MD, he had been a Bonita Springs resident since 2013. He was born February 1, 1940 in Cleveland, OH, the son of Andrew J. and Mary I. (née Bodnar) Yuhas. Capt. Yuhas retired from the United States Coast Guard in 1993 after 30 years of distinguished service. In Bonita Springs, he was a member of the American Legion and the Eagles. He was a life member of ASNE (American Society of Naval Engineers). A life member of AWS (America Welding Society). Served on the Board of USCG Southwind Assoc. a Windclass Polar Icebreaker. He graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland, Ohio in 1957 attending college in Flint, MI at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) graduating in 1961, after graduation was employed by General Motors at the Fisher Body Division, Cleveland, OH. In 1963 he became a USCG Officer upon graduating from OCS Yorktown, VA beginning his love of the sea and ships. He spent multiple tours of duty at USCG HQ designing and writing repair specs using his degrees in welding and metallurgy. His shipboard service on cutters include: Ingham (Medium Endurance Cutter) (1964), Southwind (Polar Icebreaker), chief engineer (1967-1970) 2 operation Deep Freeze trips with one being around the world and 1 Arctic trip, Mellon (High Endurance Cutter) Alaska Patrols and Ocean Station November, chief engineer (1973-1975). Shore billets include: Merchant Marine Technical (1963-1967), Project Engineer welding design Polar Star and Polar Sea (1970-1973), USCG 17th Dist ( Alaska), Chief Naval Engineer (1975-1979), USCG Yard (Baltimore, MD), Chief Industrial Department (1979-1984), USCG 17th District(Alaska), Chief Engineer (1984-1987) USCG Maintenance & Logistics Command Pacific (Alameda, CA), Chief Naval Engineer (1987-1989) US Coast Guard Yard (Ship Building and Repair Facility) Baltimore, MD Commanding Officer (1989-1993). After retiring from the Coast Guard he worked as a consultant to MARAD, SECOR, CENTURY ENGINEERING/QUADRA either closing shipyards around the world or inspecting ships under construction. In retirement his love of travel continued with trips to Ireland, Argentina, South Africa (twice) to hunt and tour and many locations in the U.S. Capt. Yuhas is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Karen Elizabeth (née Rapking) Yuhas; his loving children, Jennifer Susan Yuhas (Paul Keech) of Fairbanks, AK and Stephen Anthony (Jennifer) Yuhas of Berlin, MD; sister-in-law, Judith (Ronald) Kercheval of Harrison, OH; and nephews, Scott and Curtis Kercheval. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail South, Bonita Springs. Visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Private burial services with Military Honors will take place at the Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Fisher House Foundation, www.fisherhouse.org. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Robert Andrew Yuhas

February 1, 1940 - January 24, 2017