Coleman Robert Reap, 91, formerly of Scranton, PA, died peacefully on September 6, 2023 at his home on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Married to Judith Reap of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, Cole and Judy were parents to Michael (Seattle, WA), Robert (San Diego, CA) Deirdre Reap Mull (Ridgely, WV), Patrick (deceased) and Maura Reap (Moldova). They are also survived by their grandchildren, Austin, Ian and Nolan Mull and Savannah Lawson Loveless and Alaina Reap. He and Judy would have celebrated their sixty-first Anniversary on September 8, they were married in 1962. Born to Michael and Helen Reap on December 8, 1931, Cole was the first son of four children that included Richard Reap, Helen Marie Walsh (deceased), and Kathryn Saunders (deceased). In addition, he was preceded in death by four half-brothers—Belden, Joseph, Cyril and Donald Reap. Cole was a man who sought and conquered many challenges. Following graduation from Dunmore High School (PA), he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. During this time, he realized that he wanted to become an engineer. To qualify for college, he enrolled in Navy correspondence studies in math and science. Upon passing its entrance exam, he was accepted as a Chemical Engineering student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Following graduation from Drexel in 1959, he was hired as a chemical engineer at a Philadelphia area refinery, but quickly foresaw that a profession as a patent attorney was a better career fit. To achieve this, he relocated to Washington D.C., joined the U. S. Patent Office, enrolled as a night student at D.C.’s Georgetown Law School, married Judy, and became the father of two boys by the time of his graduation in 1965. Having achieved his dream profession, Cole was a great success as a patent attorney, obtaining patents in areas such as food chemistry, petrochemicals and gases. A devoted father, his five children were paramount. Summers vacations were typically spent camping, first in pup tents, later in a pop-up trailer, then a full-size camper fitted with cabinets and devices he had fashioned himself. His interests were varied and passionate. He was a keen history student, who possessed a great knowledge of the American Revolution and the Civil War. He never missed an opportunity on weekend rides with the kids to school them about events that occurred near every road marker or monument they visited. Cole also possessed a deep love of French, German, English and Latin languages. Although he did not speak these languages fluently (except for English), he avidly read foreign texts and was precise in his knowledge of their unique grammar rules. He enriched his mind by enriched by attending evening classes in these languages, as well as studying for and passing a Pennsylvania Real Estate License exam, simply because he loved the concept of real estate. His mind kept busy with varied interests; he was particularly devoted to his Catholic faith, but was also quite passionate about plant grafting, electrical wiring, the Philadelphia Eagles football team, Big Band music and ballroom dancing, all things Irish, and World War II. However, his greatest passion was Smith Mountain Lake. He loved to cruise its waters, often taking friends and family to see the sights or dock and dine. His greatest interest at the Lake, however, was golf, which he embraced with a fierce dedication while diligently learning and practicing its skills and techniques. For someone who had only played a few rounds prior to moving to the Lake, his pursuit of the game was relentless. He chased that little white ball as if it were a law school discussion, even achieving the elusive “hole in one”. Throughout his retirement, he forged and enjoyed new friends who also shared his love of the game. In later years Cole faced several medical issues that individually might have destroyed other men, including cancers, kidney disease, sight problems, neuro issues, pneumonia. He should have been known as Cole the Triumphant. Unfortunately, each battle left an inevitable scar and at age 91, his physical body finally succumbed to the cumulative damage of so many maladies. On September 6, 2023, this courageous Catholic man went Home where he will live the Peace of the Lord and realize his eternal destiny of love. Oh, yes, in front of him there will be acres and acres of vibrant greens, easy putts, and roughs that vanish should a ball go towards them. And all will be Love. Always Love. Services will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Resurrection Catholic Church, Moneta, Virginia. Reception at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Resurrection Catholic Church or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.