Robert "Bob" Gerhardt took his final flight on January 18, 2013, at the age of 93. Bob was born in Corona, New York, and lived there until he joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. He trained as a P-51 pilot and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His love of planes and flying continued throughout his life. In his later years, he regaled his family with a variety of anecdotes about his flight experiences.
Bob married Georgina in 1949. They had five children: Christine, Robin (Debbie), Robert, Jr., Laura, and William. Bob continued his career for General Motors Corporation with time in New York, Puerto Rico, Lebanon, England, Greece, and Saudi Arabia. Bob and Georgi enjoyed sightseeing in many unusual countries during the overseas years including Kenya, Egypt, Syria, Thailand, the former Yugoslavia, the former Czechoslovakia, and Turkey. After the untimely passing of Georgi, Bob married his second wife, Rita, and moved to Florida. He and Rita lived in Florida for many years and enjoyed the company of many friends who had retired in the area.
Declining health forced both Bob and Rita to move in with children in 2007. Even when his energy was failing, Bob's mind and memory remained sharp and he enjoyed good jokes and good stories. In the end, his body became too frail to house a spirit that remained exuberant. Bob's last internet joke was sent less than 48 hours before his passing.
Bob will be laid to rest next to his first wife, Georgina, at a memorial in June.
Linne Haddock added a note that those who attended the 2012 39th FSA Reunion will remember Bob and his scooter being everywhere so he did not miss a thing! But Bob himself will be missed.
