Robert Gandy

Robert Delvin Gandy, 61, died unexpectedly Sunday, June 2, of an apparent heart attack at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas.

Bob was born June 21, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Robert Sines Gandy and Betty Jean (Gabel) Gandy. His childhood was spent at his home in Hickman Mills where he was a 1969 graduate of Ruskin High School. He also received an AA degree from Johnson County Community College. He married Susan (Majure) Gandy in 1981.

Bob began his long and varied work life at age 12 assisting his grandfather, a dairyman, on his nightly milk route. When he reached high school, he worked at a Sears catalog store part time, then worked for Sears on the Plaza after graduation. He began his manufacturing career at Pitman Manufacturing in Grandview and spent 18 years at Puritan-Bennett Aerospace in Lenexa. He also worked for SOR, Inc. of Lenexa, Ditmco of Kansas City, Mo. and Mid-American Pump of Kansas City, Ks. He was working for Preferred Global Equipment of Cincinnati at the time of his death. With the exception of Sears, Bob worked in or with manufacturing companies throughout his career in customer service, project management and engineering support. The number of friends he made along the way are too numerous to be counted.

Bob had a lifelong love of airplanes and aviation. He had earned his pilots license at age 17. At one time or another, he was a member of the Experimental Aviation Association, the International Aerobatic Club, the Vintage Aircraft Association and the Antique Airplane Association. While in high school, Bob and 3 friends worked tirelessly over a summer to rebuild and restore a wrecked Piper Vagabond under the guidance of fathers and aviation enthusiasts. In addition, Bob began building a Pitts Special from scratch, then purchased and restored a 1946 Luscombe 8A Silvaire. It was expected to be ready to fly by the end of this summer. Bob was actively involved in all his aviation clubs and was often found running an aerobatic contest, chairing fly-ins, but most of all just hanging out at the airport. In the past several years, that place was Gardner Municipal in Gardner, Kansas, where the friendships were strong, the joking was brutal and the advice, knowledge & skills on how to restore a plane were astounding. Bob believed strongly that those connections made at the airport provided the best education anyone could ever have.

After having two sons, Bob made the decision to become involved with Cub Scouts as a
Den Leader and Webelos leader for Packs 3467 and 3315. When the boys moved on to Boy Scouts, he became an Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge advisor with Olathe Troop 315 and actively participated in Troop activities for many years. Bob was an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of the Mic-O-Say and a graduate of the Wood Badge leadership course. Bob spent many wonderful (and cold and rainy and hot and muddy) weekends on troop campouts and especially loved the yearly summer camp at Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Mo. Scouting was a large part of his life and it was a source of great satisfaction that his sons achieved Eagle Scout and Life Scout ranks.

Bob's extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law and sisters-n-law played a large role in his life along with his parents and siblings. He delighted in the annual Gandy family dinners, a quick visit, a random phone call. He also had great affection for our Locust Street family, a neighborhood where children were raised by everybody, friendships were made for a lifetime and some of the best 4th of July parties were ever held.

Bob loved to read, practice photography, enjoy a wide range of music, build model airplanes, go to museums and galleries, and vacation at his always anticipated Oshkosh and Blakesburg fly-ins. At age 59, Bob decided to learn to play the guitar--a lifelong ambition. Bob was a member of the "Lawndale Gang", survivors of the 1957 Ruskin Heights tornado that destroyed their homes. Bob was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Olathe. Bob was a board member of German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue of Olathe.

Bob was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents and both parents. Survivors include wife, Susan, of the home; son Rob Gandy, Lawrence; son Todd Gandy, Olathe; sister Kathy Rains of Belton, Missouri; brother Terry Gandy, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a large extended family. He also leaves his beloved rescue dogs, Ilsa and Teddy.

Our dearest husband, father, brother, nephew, cousin and friend has left a sudden and vast empty space in our lives and hearts. Bob, you will be missed forever and never forgotten.