Robert George Gundaker (Bob)

Bob was born June 16, 1942, to Lillian and George Gundaker in Brooklyn, NY, and was raised in Irvington. NJ. He graduated from Irvington High School in 1960 and received a B.A in History from Susquehanna University in 1964. While there, he played football and was president of the senior class and the Phi Mu Delta fraternity. Bob has generously supported Susquehanna ever since, including creating the Gundaker Summer Internship Program there, which provides students funding for housing and other expenses, so qualified students have the freedom to pursue an unpaid internship in their chosen field. He earned an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University in 1972.

After graduating from Susquehanna, he taught History and Economics at Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School in Clark NJ and coached football. In his third year there, he met Isabelle Walsh, a new teacher that year. After a 3 week courtship, she became the love of his life and his wife of 58 years.

Soon after, he left teaching for the business world, first in the Mortgage Dept. of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, then MGIC (Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Company), where he became Division Manager. In 1988, Bob moved into the Mortgage Banking business, ultimately serving as president of Eastern Mortgage Services. Bob retired in 2005 and moved from Moorestown and Cinnaminson, NJ, to Naples, being a seasonal resident for 10 years and a full time resident since 2017.

He enjoyed playing golf and tennis while in New Jersey, where he and Isabelle were members of Riverton Country Club for 40 years. Bob was especially proud of his two holes in one on #6 at Riverton. In 2007, Bob and Isabelle joined Imperial Golf Club in Naples where Bob continued to enjoy golf and served on the Board of Trustees from 2008-2011. Bob was a sports and history buff, a movie fan, a lively conversationalist, an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State football fan, and an enthusiastic traveler.

Besides being a devoted husband, father, and philanthropist, Bob was a man of faith. He converted to Catholicism in 1995 and was an active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples. Above all, his family members were the true pride of his life. He was never happier than when surrounded by his loving family. He eagerly looked forward to holidays and annual family vacations in Hilton Head and the Jersey Shore for over 45 years. His warm smile and dry sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Isabelle, sons Richard (wife Laura) of St. Augustine, FL, John of Blackwood, NJ, and daughter Kate of Chiswick UK, and grandchildren Gavin, Lydia, and Patrick Gundaker.

Donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to a charity of your choice in his memory would be most welcome.

A Celebration of Life will be held January 5th at 10 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave N, Naples, Florida 34108 with interment and reception to follow at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Avenue N, Naples.