Robert Donald Gandolf
Robert
Donald Gandolf, of
passed away at the age of 72 following a long battle with central nervous
system lymphoma. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved wife,
sons, family, and loyal dogs on Saturday July 4th, 2015.
He was
born August 23rd, 1942 in
Wurtenberger, making him the first of his family to be born in the
Robert
spent his childhood in
from
and attending IUPUI afterwards. His parents separated during that time, and his
mother married Howard Harvey, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor in
WWII. Through his mother’s marriage to Howard, he was blessed with his sister
Carolanne and his brother Howard (deceased).
Robert
married Sandra Licho early in his adult life, but they were later divorced.
Robert had two sons with Sandra, Joseph Howard and James Michael Gandolf.
Robert then married Deborah Schmalz (deceased) and had five sons, Jason Andrew
(deceased), Joshua David, Adam Robert, Nicholas Paul and Anthony Scott Gandolf.
Robert and Deborah were later divorced in 1984. In 1995, Robert married his
wife, Vicki Irene Bloedow, in
Professionally,
Robert was a true jack of all trades, doing whatever it took to provide for his
family. He did everything from foundry management, traveling insurance
salesman, car salesman, semi-professional football coach, high school sports
coach, school bus driver, ice-cream truck driver, tractor-trailer
owner/operator, and commercial bus driver to name a few. Robert was also an
entrepreneur, owning/operating an antique business, a hair salon, and Coaches
Italian Slice in
Robert
proudly served in the United States Air Force as an Air Commando during the
Vietnam War. Robert loved woodworking, construction, model rockets and
airplanes. Robert was a devout Catholic and was a parishioner at Holy Family
Catholic Church.
His
survivors are: Vicki, Joseph, James, Joshua, Adam, Nicholas and wife Katherine,
Anthony and fiance Kim Woerner. Grandchildren: Kara Shircliff, Sofia, Robert,
Ruthie, Krista, Marybeth, Rocco. Great grandchildren: Maryjane, Emmit, and
Quinton Shircliff. Preceded in death by Jason, Howard and Deborah.
Visitation
is on July 7th from 1-4 PM and funeral service immediately following at 4 PM at
Zacherl Funeral Home,
Division St.
His
family extends a special thank you to Generations Hospice and Comfort Keepers
for their compassionate and loving care.
Memorials
in his name may be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Zacherl
Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com