Robert Ellis Kolich, “Butch”
January 2, 1942 – July 20, 2021
Robert Kolich, better known as Butch, passed away July 20th, 2021 in St. Leonard, MD.
Butch was born in 1942 of Joseph and Sarah Kolich in McKeesport, PA. He was involved in music early on, including with the McKeesport Junior Tambuitzans. He was an Eagle Scout and President of the McKeesport High School Band.
After enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1960, he was an instructor at the Field Music School at Parris Island, SC with the USMC Drum & Bugle Corps (The Commandant’s Own) Marine Barracks Washington, DC. His career in the Marine Corps spanned band music, machine guns, and computers. He retired as a M/Sgt. in 1980 after a tour in Vietnam and serving in all three divisions of the Marine Corps.
Butch and his wife enjoyed sailing all over the Chesapeake Bay for 35 years. He was well known for being active in community affairs and with the Marine Corps League Detachment in Patuxent, Maryland.
M/Sgt. Kolich is survived by his loving wife of 41 years Mary Lee, sons Robert Kolich Jr. and Lt/Col. Matthew Kolich USMC (Ret), grandchildren Brittney, Abby, and Nicolas, brother Cpl. Timothy Kolich USMC (Ret) and Sgt. Zane Donaldson USMC. This is a Marine family with multiple tours in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Butch’s funeral service will be livestreamed on Facebook. To watch his service if you can’t make it to the funeral home, go to Rausch Funeral Home’s facebook home page. It will begin about 12 55 PM
Visitation
Services
Saturday, July 24, 2021
1 PM
Contributions
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10306
Condolences
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Mary Lee, “God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life”. Romans 8:28
Losing your beloved Butch is the storm you are now in. With Gods grace and loving mercy the memories you will weather this storm until you meet again him again. May God bless and keep you and your family.
Ralph Blakeney
Mary Lee, please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of deepest need. May you be comforted by happy memories of your life with your dearly departed Butch.
Mary Lee, I have just found out about Butch passing away. We served together at HQMC in the late 60s. He was a very proud Marine and a good friend. I know this is very late, but I felt I need to let you know I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
God Bless
William T Maroney III
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Our prayers to Mary Lee and family. RIP Butch.
These words are filled with thoughts and understanding and more than anything else with hope that each day ahead will bring a measure of comfort. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. I love you.
So sorry to hear about Butch. May the pain of your loss pass quickly and the warmth of a lifetime of wonderful memories give you peace & comfort. Sending hugs & prayers to you and family.
Mary Lee,
Ann and I want to send our love. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Butch will be missed – may the memories of your many years together give you comfort.
Love,
Bob and Ann Wargo.
Mary Lee, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family during this time of bereavement. May the Lord comfort and keep you during this time.
Mary Lee, “God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life”. Romans 8:28
Losing your beloved Butch is the storm you are now in. With Gods grace and loving mercy the memories you will weather this storm until you meet again him again. May God bless and keep you and your family.
Ralph Blakeney
Mary Lee, please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of deepest need. May you be comforted by happy memories of your life with your dearly departed Butch.
Mary Lee, my thoughts are with you and your family. Butch and I worked years together at Beretta. Just learned of his passing tonight.
Mary Lee, I have just found out about Butch passing away. We served together at HQMC in the late 60s. He was a very proud Marine and a good friend. I know this is very late, but I felt I need to let you know I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
God Bless
William T Maroney III
Thank you so very much for thinking of us, Butch was buriéd in Arlington October 19th, 2021