Of Beltsville, MD Passed away on September 14 surrounded by loving family. Bob was born on February 6, 1928 in Chicago, IL. He received his Mechanical Engineering Degree in 1950 from the University of Notre Dame. A Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, he started his Mechanical Engineering career at Chatelaine, Gauger & Nolan FAIA, 1953-1958; he then joined Stromberg Metal Works, Inc. in 1958 as an estimator. He purchased Stromberg in 1987 and worked as CEO until his death. Bob contributed to the SMACNA (National) rewrite of Low Pressure Duct Construction Standards – 1976 Edition. Was a Founding Board Member of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) 1971; 1988 became president of NEBB; Was a past President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of Sheet Metal Contractors; named Sheet Metal Contractor of the year and also Legislative Contractor of the Year. Sheet Metal Local 100 member of JATC since May 17,1 967 Chairman, Local 100 Apprentice Committee since 1971, Trustee Local 100 Trust Funds 1976 – 1985; Local 100 Scholarship fund Co-Chairman since 1990, Local 100 labor committee since 1968; member of Mechanical Contractors Association and served as board of Director for MCA of Metropolitan Washington 1992 – 1993; member ASHRAE, Served on State of Maryland HVAC Review Board from 1999 - 2003. He also was on the Board of Trustees of Archbishop Carroll High School.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Patricia Ann Schilke; his daughters Kathleen Marie Bigelow (Stephen) and Mary Patricia Suhr (Douglas); his sons Robert Barrett Gawne, Jr., William Joseph Gawne, Thomas Richard Gawne, and Daniel Paul Gawne (Mary Katherine); 20 Grandchildren and 20 Great Grandchildren. Also by his sisters Gloria Marie Cullotta, Eileen Ruth Glazik (Robert) and his brother Thomas Walter Gawne (Madelyn); his brother in laws Robert Eugene Schilke, and Thomas Albert Schilke and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Frederick Robert Gawne and Helen Eileen Wherry; his brothers Donald Joseph Gawne and James Frederick Gawne and his daughter in laws, Betty Jean Gawne and Joyce Irene Gawne.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Joseph’s Church, Beltsville, Maryland or the Yellow Ribbon Fund (Yellowribbonfund.org) which benefits injured service members.
