Robert Philip Gaarder

Robert P. (Phil) Gaarder was a Christian man who loved God, loved his country, loved his family and loved his community. His life could be summarized best by the Rotarian motto “ Service above self “. The motivation for all his life long passions can best be described by his own words as he was leaving a Saturday evening church service. With tears in his eyes, he said “I am so full of love and hope”,

He was born August 6th, 1924 to Otto Herman Gaarder and Amanda Melvina Stordock in the small farming community of Orfordville, Wisconsin.

His love and passion for life began at an early age when at the age of 4 he began playing the violin and at 5 began playing the trombone. He played both instruments through high school culminating in his taking first place in the National Trombone Championships his senior year in high school.

Growing up in a farming community afforded him many opportunities. As a young boy he worked on his uncle’s farm, operating and repairing farm machinery. He also worked in his father’s hardware store where he was certified as a master plumber. A passion for flying began to develop at age 13 when he began raising homing pigeons and his life was forever changed when a barnstormer flew into town. Pointing to the barnstormer, he told his father “That’s what I want to do.” So at the age of 15 be began taking flying lessons.

His passion for flying served him well. Upon graduation from high school during W.W.II and with signed permission from his parents, at the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Navy as and aviation cadet in the V5 program and was commissioned Ensign in Nov. 1944. He trained in torpedo bombers and excelled to the degree that upon graduation he served as an instructor in torpedo bombers until released from service in 1946.

He returned home and from 1946 to 1951 he owned and operated his father’s hardware store and plumbing, heating, and electrical contracting business. During this time he was active in the organized naval reserves at Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois. It was during this time that he met and married his wife of 65 years, June Arlene Gunderson.

In January 1951, his reserve squadron was recalled to active duty and served with Carrier Group 15 aboard the USS Antietam in Task force 77 off Korea. In January 1952 he was transferred to the Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 120 at Oppoma, Japan where he served as Maintenance Officer and Officer in Charge of the Detachment at Atsugi, Japan until July 1953. Following this assignment he served as Flight Officer at the Naval Air Station, Alameda, California until June 1956. From July 1956 to August 1960 he served as Flight Instructor and Examiner in the C118 aircraft with the Air Transport Squadron 22, a MATS squadron located in Norfolk, Virginia. The period from Aug. 1960 to June 1961 he was assigned to the USS Valley Forge as Maintenance and Assistant Air Officer. While aboard he qualified for command at sea. Following this assignment he was assigned to the Naval Air Station, Norfolk and served as Head of the Weapons and Air Operations Department from July 7 1961 until June 1964. From June 1964 until 1966 he was again assigned to the MATS squadron VR 22 where he served as Assistant Operations Officer and Instructor and Examiner in the C130 aircraft. At this time he was cited for his effective leadership which contributed immeasurably to the successful movement of the squadron VR 22 from Norfolk, Va. to Moffet Field, California. He acquired over 10,000 flight hours and 100 carrier landings.

In January 1966 he was assigned to the staff of the DOD Manager for Space Flight Operations and was assigned as Chief of Recovery in March 1966. He served in this position from the Gemini 8 mission through Apollo 16.

“Commander Gaarder is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, the American Defense Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Defense Medal, United Nation's Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.”

Upon his retirement after 30 years of service, he began his second career as a community volunteer and founder and owner of G & L Laundry Centers, Inc., building laundromats and engaging in the sales and service of commercial and industrial laundry and dry cleaning equipment.

His love and passion for volunteering started at an early age when he began directing choir in the Lutheran church in his hometown of Orfordville, Wi. and he continued directing choirs for 40 years.

He was a member of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Oktoberfest committee for several years

He is a member and past president of the Indialantic Rotary Club and went on to become district governor in 1988/1989 serving 63 clubs throughout central Florida.

In 1981 he became a member of the Florida Tech Athletic Advisory Council. This association with Fla. Tech became a real love and passion in his life. He made many lasting and significant contributions. He was the founder and chairman of the Fla. Tech Spring Festival (1982-1992), a fund raising event for athletic scholarships. He was a founding member of the Panther Athletic Association and served as its president for three years (1990-1993), he played a major role in the Fla. Tech student athletic golf tournaments for eleven years, and he played a major role in the Fla. Tech Sporting Affair for 6 years. As a result of these contributions he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Fla. Tech. “He gave more time as a volunteer to the athletic program than any other person in the history of Fla. Tech Athletics.” He was awarded the Service Achievement Award for two years in a row and now the award is named after him.

He loved traveling and took many trips with friends in his cabin cruiser up the inland waterway and across the state of Florida and then many years traveling in his motor home across the country and into Alaska and spending summers in Wisconsin. When he was home he loved working with his son.

While he had many loves and passions throughout his life, his greatest love and passion was for his family. He was married for 65 years to his “Junie”. They had 5 children, Bruce (Bonnie), Sandra (Hans), Karen (Tony), Korinne, and Shirley, 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was always there for them whether it called for repairing their automobiles, helping them through difficult times or celebrating their weddings or the birth of their children. They were constantly in his prayers and he prayed that they would find joy and peace and be filled with hope.

He had a real passion for life and love for those he worked along side of with the hope of making them the best they could be.

In his final years he confronted his illness with courage and humility. All of his care givers would make the same comment, “What a sweet man”.

He will leave a big hole in the hearts of those who loved him and will leave shoes to big to fill.

Fly away...... You’re free at last.