Robert Henry Gerdts

Robert (Bob) Henry Gerdts passed to the great beyond on March 18, 2026, in Greensburg, Indiana, at the age of 91.

A master of Shoot the Moon cards and never ending Dad Jokes or puns, he could certainly be a lot of fun. He even made education fun. Traveling across country every summer, he’d fly at crazy speeds down the highway, only to come to an abrupt stop if any roadside plaques presented themselves. He insisted that all his children hang out the window with him and read about some relevant event in history which took place on that very spot. His favorites, though, were the few that announced that, in fact, nothing had happened there.

He was a career Army Chief Warrant Officer and proud Vietnam Vet, serving first in Korea, then 2 tours in Vietnam. He also was stationed in Europe twice, in West Germany as it was known then, with the construction of the Berlin Wall during his first tour. In the last decades of his life, he always wore his “U.S. Army Retired” hat wherever he went. He reminisced even in his last days about what a grand adventure being in the Army and having gone all over the world was for him.

After retiring from the Army and subsequent civilian work, he picked up crafting and the craft show circuit. No doubt he regaled many customers with his expert storytelling skills, followed by some silly or deadpan comment casually just left out there. He said he’d slow down “when pigs fly”. And when it came time to retire from the craft show circuit, he announced it with lots of flying pigs on his website.

With life on the road wound down, he always had a beloved four legged sidekick with him. Golden Retrievers were his favorite. Named with his silly sense of humor, they came to names like Goldie, Triever, Trooper and Sadie. Having gone ahead of Bob to the great beyond, we like to think they’re all gathered around his recliner reading the paper together now.

Or perhaps Bob is driving down the highway, looking for historical roadside plaques and announcing (with a twinkle in his eye) that a big bug just hit the windshield but “won’t have the guts to do that again!” And surely, his father, Henry William, was eagerly awaiting him, shuffling the cards for a rowdy game of Shoot the Moon. While circumstances in life kept him from us at times, Bob and his mischievous laughter will be missed. But we’ll endeavor to carry on the legacy of the sweet silliness and really bad jokes that make life more fun.

Bob is survived by 3 children: son, Matt (Kira) of Georgia, grandchildren Zachary (Tiffney), Connor (AbaGayle), Caitlin (Chandler) and Daniel (Theresa), great grandchildren Nolan, Bailey, Harper, Carter, Juliette, Brooklynn, Elia, Caroline, Cayden, Samuel and Scarlett; daughter, Susan (Darrell) of Alabama, grandchild Hunter; son, Brett (Monica) of California, grandchildren Travis and Jesse.
He also leaves behind his wife, Carol.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or a memorial tree, please consider a donation in Bob’s name to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund at the link below.