Robert William Gaul

Robert's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.

Robert William Gaul, a remarkable man whose life was defined by his love for family, his passion for aviation engineering, and his wide array of interests, passed away on March 26th, 2024, at the age of 69, after a heartfelt struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 30th, 1954, in Davenport, Iowa, Robert was the eldest of seven siblings and a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and affection to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Robert's professional journey began at Iowa State University in Ames, where he graduated in 1976. His career in aviation engineering started off at Sperry Flight Systems in Glendale, Arizona and took him to Allied Signal in Prescott, Arizona for many years before locating to Olathe, Kansas with significant roles at Honeywell and Garmin. His contributions in these roles were marked by innovation and a deep commitment to excellence.

The cornerstone of Robert's life was his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Ann Gaul, on February 23rd, 1974, and together, they raised an amazing family filled with love and happiness. Their children, Christopher Michael and Kimberly Anne, were the center of Robert's world, and the arrival of his grandchildren brought him immense joy. He cherished every moment with Joshua Michael Gaul, age 11, Abigail Hope Gaul, age 8, Daisy Faith Bao, age 7, and Chance Brighton Bao, age 4.

Robert was a talented musician, contributing his skills on various instruments to the Olathe Civic Band. His passion for music was matched by his enthusiasm for astrophotography, cycling, and travel. He found serenity in capturing the stars and galaxies and exhilaration in assembling and riding his own bikes. His love for travel saw him journeying to diverse destinations, enriching his and his family's lives with experiences from different cultures and natural wonders around the world. These hobbies were an extension of his curious and adventurous spirit.

In his final days, cradled in the warmth and love of his family, Robert's spirit – resilient, loving, and profoundly wise – was a source of comfort and an enduring light in the shadow of his illness. Now, his absence is a quiet space that resonates with memories, a tender ache in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Preceded in death by his father, Peter Joseph Gaul, Robert is survived by his mother, Hilary Mae Gaul; his wife, Linda; their children, Christopher and Kimberly; his grandchildren; and his role as the eldest of seven siblings.

His life will be celebrated on April 4th, 2024, at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S. Black Bob Rd, Olathe, Kansas, with visitation from 1:00-2:00pm and a service from 2:00-3:00pm. He will be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Overland Park, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Robert's memory to the Astronomical Society of Kansas City (askc.org/about/donate) or the Olathe Civic Band (olathecivicband.org/support). Please mention that the donation is in honor of Robert.

Robert's life, a beautiful journey of discovery, love, and joy, inspires us to cherish every moment, pursue our dreams with fervor, and hold our loved ones close, leaving a trail of warmth and light for all who follow.

To share a memory of Robert or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.