Robert Lester Cottingham, 69, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2012,  surrounded by his loved ones. He was born March 30, 1943, in Beverly Glen, Los Angeles, California, the son of the late Vivienne and Bob Cottingham. He was the youngest of 2 siblings.

He served in the U.S. Navy  as an  aviation electronics technician stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Facitily at China Lake, CA in the early 1960s. After his discharge, he was recruited by Eastman Kodak before opening a successful xray sales company in Phoenix, Arizona. He loved to entertain friends and spoil his three children with ski vactations, boating trips, and trips to his cabin in Young Arizona. He enjoyed living life to the fullest until finally being slowed down with emphysema and COPD. He put up a hard fight until the very end. He will be remembered as a generous man and a loving father.

He is survived by his oldest son Edward Cottingham and his wife Michelle, son Richard Cottingham, and daughter Tricia Duffey and her husband Joseph, grandchildren, Olivia, Jaeger, Dresden, Lux, Symone, Serena, Madeline and Hayden. He is also survived by his older brother, Richard Cottingham of Irvine, CA. 

A memorial service will be held 10:00am Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at St. Bernard of Clarvaux, 10755 N. 124th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85259.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Arizona 7100 E. Mescal Scottsdale, AZ 85254 would be greatly appreciated.  Share memories by visiting Guest Book at www.obits.azcentral.com