Robert J. Gashler, 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away in Millis, MA, on September 28, 2024.
Son of the late Joseph and Theresa Gashler, Bob grew up in Hawthorne, New Jersey. He graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1959, subsequently earning a B.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a master’s degree in physics from Stevens Institute of Technology. In 1963, he married Janet Faranetta and the same year began his career in research and development at Bell Telephone Laboratories, where he worked in the field of fiber optics. Bob always said he enjoyed every day of his 31 years with Bell Labs (Research & Development Division of AT&T), later Lucent Technologies.
In 1967 Bob was transferred to Columbus, Ohio, where he and Janet raised three children and learned to enjoy the Midwest lifestyle. Always an avid golfer, Bob was also partial to tennis, sailing, skiing and spy novels. After a second transfer to Kansas City, he became a devoted Chiefs’ fan and developed his love of country music. During this time, his contributions to the telecom field included multiple patents.
Bob was a hands-on father who put family first. He remained involved with family throughout his life, in later years teaching his grandchildren to swim, driving to practices and cheering on the sidelines of many softball and soccer games. His passion for golf continued into his 80’s. Bob’s optimistic outlook allowed him to delight in simple pleasures. He always appreciated the warm sun on his face, a well-executed putt, or a good hot dog. He will be remembered as a courteous and considerate man who frowned on unkind gossip.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Janet Gashler; brother Richard Gashler and wife Barbara; daughter Andrea Gashler and husband Fred King; and daughter Karen Mollor and husband Edward Falvey. He was a much-loved grandfather to Lindsey Suter (Mollor), Juno Mollor, Annika Mollor and Matthew King. He was preceded in death by his son Drew Gashler.
Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org/donate or the American Heart Association www.heart.org.