John Robert Gunther

About

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John Gunther Obituary

John Robert Gunther

Indian Harbour Beach

John Robert Gunther 'Bob', longtime resident of Indian Harbour Beach, FL, passed away with his family at his side on Saturday, November 1, 2014 from complications of a stroke he had suffered in June. He is survived by his wife, of 67 years, Teresa (Teta), and by his four children, J. Robert Gunther, Jr., Mary (Mindy) T. Gunther (Robert Drew), William G. Gunther (Alexandra Cooper), and Claudia Gunther. He is also survived by his brother, William H. Gunther Jr.; three grandchildren, William G. Gunther, Jr., Kristen E. Gunther, and Christopher E. Grant, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from MIT in 1943 with both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in chemical engineering. He was a Captain in the Army Transport Corp., serving in London after graduation until the end of WWII. Bob was a man who would never retire, and was active on a daily basis as president of Palmas Printing Company in Melbourne. Palmas is a sister company of the George Schmitt & Co, Inc., a 140-year old family printing company, which Bob ran as the third president until 1986. Today it is run by his son, Bill.

In addition to his business activities, Bob was an extremely competent instrument rated pilot and lifelong sailor. As a younger man, he had a long line of sailboats, many of which were called H.M.S. Day, which stood for Happy Mother's Day, due to the fact that he often bought Teta a boat in early May, in time for the racing season. Later on, Bob and Teta moved on to power boats, all named Dolphin. Together, they raced and cruised for many years from Newfoundland to Puerto Rico. He was a longtime member of the Cruising Club of America, the New York Yacht Club, the Corinthians, the U.S. Power Squadron, and the local Skipper's Club.

Above all, he loved his family. He was a devoted husband, a caring and supportive father and grandfather. Bob was a true gentleman, whether in business, racing his sailboat, or interacting with employees, family, and friends, all of whom will greatly miss him.

A Funeral Mass was held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic on November 5th. Burial services will be in CT on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by FloridaToday on Nov. 7, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for John Gunther

4 Entries

Roland Norris

January 29, 2016

As Commodore of the Skipper's Club, Brevard County Florida, in the late 90's, I was approached by a gentleman I did not know and never met. Bob and his lovely wife, Teta would become members under my sponsorship, and he would eventually become Commodore of the club himself.

I had no idea of the storied past he had as a life long member of the New York Yacht Club, and skipper of a tall ship he sailed across the Atlantic, to join the fleet for the US Centennial in 1976. He was popular with the many boating clubs in the area with his stories of many crossings, once being towed across the Atlantic on an Army tug boat.

The consument and obsessive boater and sailor over the years, Bob and Teta became good friends. I was of assistance as crew on their maiden voyage on their last boat, a 55' motor vessel named "Dolfin". from Miami to their home port in Satellite Beach. That was just one of the many fond memories I have of the dearest couple in the whole world.

November 7, 2014

I met Bob in 1967 at the DRUPA exhibition in Dusseldorf.
I was impressed by his piercing blue eyes and
by his knowledge and command of the matters we reviewed.
We kept seeing each other, whenever he had occasion to visit Europe.
When I expressed interest in coming to the States with my family, he not only offered
me the opportunity to work in his company but
he started the process for our green cards.
Working with him was a challenge, a thrill, a
rewarding and learning experience.
On the light moments he was the source of
countless stories on his war time, pilot
experiences and, of course, boating adventures.
I often say that I and my family owe him
"forty plus years of happy life in the States."
I like to close repeating his life and business creed :
BE TRUE.
STRIVE FOR PERFECTION.
HAVE FUN.

Mr. Gunther, Franca and I will remember you as
long as we live.

Anthony " Tony " Penati.
Franca Penati.

November 7, 2014.

ANTHONY & IRENE D'ETTORE

November 7, 2014

Mr. GUNTHER WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN, WHO WAS VERY CAREING AND UNDERSTANDING, AND WILL BE TRUELY MISSED. R.I.P. SINCERELY TONY & IRENE

November 5, 2014

As a nephew of "Uncle Bob" I remember his active and healthy lifestyle and great love he had for Teta and his family. One of my memories was when I was a young boy and took the train from Rhode Island ,Uncle Bob picked me up in his vintage Rolls Royce. What a thrill for a young boy! I enjoyed many Thanksgiving dinners at Rockbound and I'm thankful for the time spent with the Gunthers. He will ne missed and remembered fondly.
Jim Czar

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results