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Robert Gauthier Obituary

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Robert John Gauthier died on Monday, July 2, 2007, with family members by his side. He was the first born son of Ernest Noel and Margaret Teresa (Danforth) Gauthier; born on July 13, 1935, in Bennington, Vt. Bob joined the army at age 17 as an enlisted man and was mentored for OCS (Officer Candidate School). As a helicopter pilot, he served in both Thailand and Vietnam. He was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations, including the Bronze Star.

He is survived by his wife, Deloris; four daughters, Teresa Gauthier Flynn (Philippe Glaude), Kimberly Estridge, (Larry), Jacklyn McCormick, (Matt) and Nicole Gauthier; and six grandchildren; three brothers, David, Thomas and Lawrence all of Bennington; three sisters, Sandra Sinclair (Martin), Linda Knapp (Richard) of Bennington, Diann Ball (John) of Manchester, N.H.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Nancy (Gauthier) Hathaway, and nephew, Michael Gauthier.

Bob chose cremation and his immediate family held a wake and celebration of his life, party at the home of his daughter in Louisville on the Fourth of July. Should friends desire, memorial gifts in memory of Bob may be made to a charity of their choice.

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

Published by Bennington Banner on Jul. 10, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Gauthier

16 Entries

July 15, 2007

Papaw,I love you and miss you. You will always be in my heart. P.S. I loved riding your scooter. Love madalyn. (Maddie)

July 13, 2007

Dad,I can only hope you know how much I love,admire and miss you.You taught me so much;more than I think you ever realized.Today is your birthday and I missed you more than ever.You were always so fun and I only have the best memories of you as my big,strong Dad.You should be proud of all you did, especially as a father.I know you are in a better place and know you will always watch over your girl's. I love and miss you so much. Jackie

Kim Gauthier Estridge

July 13, 2007

Daddy,
On the occasion of your 72nd birthday, I want to write more about you. You were the first man I ever loved. More than loved, I adored you. Every male I met in life had to meet the basic minimum requirements of my daddy. You were the yardstick against which I measured men: outgoing,adventuresome,fun loving and just mischevious enough to be interesting. I remember so many occasions together. I could write a book. Maybe someday I will and entitle it : "The girl who was raised a Boy". I am confident that you lived a well lived life because of all the people who have known you and loved you so well. I believe wholeheartedly that you are in a place of peace. You deserve nothing less. You are in my thoughts every day. I miss you. You will never be forgotten.. not even for one day. Bye Daddy ... Love you always, Kimmy

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Connie Manning

July 11, 2007

Theresa,Kimmie,Jackie and Nicole,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. He was my Godfather but never knew him after he moved To Ky. To Theresa and Kimmie,Remember the drive we made to Vermont for my brothers wedding? That was an experience. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family. God Bless you Theresa, Kimmie, Jackie, Nicole, Sandra, Linda,Diann, David,Tommy ,Larry and the rest of the family Including Laverne. Take care,
Your Cousin,Connie

Joan Terry Drucker

July 10, 2007

Bobby- I will always remember you as a teenager who always spent fun times with all of us girls, (i.e. Sandra, Linda, Nancy and my sister Betty) on the farm. . Aunt Margaret always kept me posted on your life, with all of the beautiful photos of your family. She was so proud of you.

Pownal was always a special childhood place for us city girls. Thank you for being a part of it.

Your 2nd Cousin,

Joan Terry Drucker
Becket MA and Marana AZ
(John and Ella's (you called her Helen) daughter)

Helen Lipinski

July 10, 2007

Bob One of the most handsome nephews I had, I remember you growing up on Rollins Street in Bennington. I have some very good memories of the whole gang at your Mothers, Bob I know you are in a far better place now, rest in peace. Love, Aunt Helen

Diann Ball

July 7, 2007

To my big brother that I always admired and never got to see enough. I have many fond memories of when you came home to VT to visit. My only regret is that you lived so far away that we never had a chance to create more memories. Take care of all of our family members in Heaven and watch over the rest of us here on Earth. Love to you. We will always remember you.

Sandra Sinclair

July 7, 2007

7/7/07 Words cannot express my sorrow and the fact that you had to leave us as you did. Thank you for being my big brother and one whom I idolized. I'm glad I went down and spent a week with you that summer, long ago. Glad we had the family reunion and video done. Will see you one day.

Teresa Flynn

July 6, 2007

Pete Dodd, thanks for the canoe story! Mom and I laughed because we know the man you are talking about. Daddy lived life hard, fast and furious; always his way. In fact that is the song we played at his wake, Frank Sinatra's "I did it My Way".
Although he always wanted boys, he had four daughters that he raised as boys. We were taught to change the oil on the car, change flat tires, lay brick, paint and hang dry wall. Curiously enough we are all capable of doing these tasks, although we choose to be girly girls and have strong men around us like our dad to do those tasks instead.
When daddy died he was in a beautiful room at the hopsice VA, surrounded with fresh flowers, classical music, Dee, Jackie, Colin (my son), Philippe (my husband) and myself. We were all with him and lovingly walked him to the door. It is a great tribute to a life well lived to have so many people express only love and admiration for a man who truly did it his way. God Speed Daddy!
Love,
Teresa

Linda Knapp

July 5, 2007

Thank you Bob for being a great big brother. I can remember many happy times at Mom and Dad's on your visits home. You raised a great family and had a great life. You will never be forgotten. Say hi to Nancy, Mom and Dad for me.
Love, Linda

Pete Dodd

July 5, 2007

I have been thinking a lot about Bob over the last few days. He was a great guy. He was always eager to help with some kind of project. If you didn't give him a one, watch out because he would come up with one on his own. He helped remodel our basement. He painted our kitchen cabinets white (we still laugh about all of his white hand prints on the brown wood inside the cabinets). He hung out at our lake house for a few months. I think he really enjoyed the extended solitude up there. One day when Michael and Phillip were about 7 and 9, I decided to take Bob and the kids canoeing on the Chatooga River (where Deliverence was filmed). I was in a kayak and Bob was in a 17 foot canoe with Michael and Phillip. I told Bob, whatever you do don't go into the rapids sideways, just hit them straight on and you will be OK. The first few rapids he did OK, but I could see there might be problems when we got to the harder stuff. When we hit the first class 2 rapid, he went in sideways. The boat flipped, they all swam, Bob cracked his ribs trying to climb up on the capsized canoe, and I rescued the boys in my kayak. Once I got the boys to shore they stood there shivering and refused to get back into the boat with Bob. They said they were walking out. It took me 20 minutes to convince them the only way out of the gorge was in the canoe with their grandfather. His ribs hurt for a year after that, but he always managed a good (painful) laugh when we relived the moment. See Ya Bob.

July 5, 2007

Daddy-

So many memories. Thanks for raising me as the boy you never had. I love you and always will. Kim

Loren Rudd

July 5, 2007

My sincerest condolences.

Dee Gauthier

July 4, 2007

Bob, thanks for all you did serving our country. Thanks for the beautiful girls you help create,and the grandchildren that was created,from them. I'm glad we had this time together. Love DEE

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