Luke A. Cole: On October 31, Luke A. Cole of the Division of Tides and Currents retired from this Bureau after serving faithfully for 43 years.

Mr. Cole was born in Bristol, W. Va., on March 24, 1873. The early years of his life were spent on a farm. He attended the public schools in Wood County, W. Va., and in 1893 graduated in accountancy from the Mountain State Business College, Parkersburg, W. Va. His subsequent education included 3 years at George Washington University where he studied languages and mathematics.

Luke entered the Coast Survey as a Writer on Sept. 20, 1902. In the years that followed he held various other jobs, principally in the Division of Tides and Currents and in March 1925 was made Chief of the Section of Datum Planes of that division, a position he held at the time of his retirement.

Mr. Cole was married and is the father of a daughter and 2 sons, one of whom is Lt. Howard S. Cole of this Bureau. He has long been an Elder at the Eckington Presbyterian Church, is a member of the Philosophical Society of Washington, American Geophysical Union, National Geographic Society, a Masonic Fraternity and the Anchor Club. He at one time was a member of the National Guards.

Luke’s first love was bass fishing. Just mention the word “fishing” and you have a customer in Luke. He was also active until recently in other sports including golf and bowling and could give a good accounting of himself in these sports to the dismay of some of the “young” competitors.

Mr. Cole made many friends in and out of the Bureau. His pleasant smile and manner were contagiously transmitted to all he met and worked with….

In: “The Buzzard,” Vol. XIII, No. 46, p. 6. November 30, 1945.