Obituary of Robert C. Gadson, Sr.

Robert Charles Gadson Sr was born to Hattie Gibbs Gadson and Moses Gadson on June 27, 1937, in Large Pa. He was the 7th of eleven children. He was educated in the Clairton school system in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. After high school he joined the US Air Force. After a 2-year stint in the USAF he joined the US Navy, serving an additional 18 years. He married his high school sweetheart, one Gwendolyn Louise Pipkins on February 25, 1957. Together they had five children, Pamela, Robert Jr., Kymberli, Tracey and Stephanie. He travelled with his family to several U.S. deployments in California and Florida. He served and survived two tours to Vietnam. Bob retired from the US Navy in 1975 and settled in Dayton OH. He worked for civil service at Wright Patterson Air Force Base another 20 years. During that time, he attended Sinclair Community College earning an associate degree in management. He was a member of the Elks, the Masons and the Shriners. His marriage to Gwendolyn ended in divorce in 1980. In 1987 he and Michelle Howard welcomed his 6th child, Bryan Charles Gadson. Bob was an avid jazz fan. Miles Davis, Cannonball and Nate Adderly, Gloria Lynn and others were staples in his household. He loved his hometown teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pirates. He enjoyed watching all sports as he was quite the athlete himself. He moved to NJ in 1998, to be close to his now grown children and his growing nine grandchildren and soon to come, seven great grandchildren. Now that was a mutual love affair. Not long after, he joined the historic Mother Bethel AME in Philadelphia. (He was raised in AME in Clairton, Pa.) During covid restrictions he attended Tabernacle Baptist where two of his daughters were members. He was a God chaser, reading his Bible daily, trying to live Godly. He departed this life on February 12, 2024, after a brief illness. He is survived by his ex-wife, Gwendolyn, children, Pamela Bell (Garrick), Robert Jr, Kymberli Gadson, Tracey Gadson, Stephanie Gadson and Bryan Gadson, sister Nia, brothers, Bill and Dave. Several Sisters in law and Brothers in law, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren, Great grandchildren and many friends and neighbors that were all touched by his 86 years of loving life.