Robert L. Oldnettle

1937 - 2022

Robert L. Oldnettle went home to the Lord on March 9, 2022, at his home at Grand Living in Hernando, Florida. He was 84 years old.

He was born in Wall Lake, Iowa, on July 30, 1937 to Alvin and Winona Oldnettle. His family traveled often as his father built dams and bridges for the government all over the Southwest United States.

Consequently, he attended many schools and worked any jobs that came along from the age of 12. He played football and basketball at Oxford High School from which he graduated in 1955 and kept in touch with his several best buddies right up until several days before he died.

Upon graduation, he immediately joined the Navy in 1955 as a machinist mate/recruit trainer and served with distinction until he retired in 1976. He served aboard the USS Carter Hall, USS Shadwell, USS USS Lindenwald, USS Valley Forge, USS Catskill and USS America. He returned to Great Lakes, Illinois, in 1972 and worked as a Career Counselor until he retired in 1976. Robert received many awards in the Navy, including the Good Conduct Medal (Fifth Award), the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon separation from the Navy, he retired as E8 Senior Chief Machinist's Mate. He married Carol Nadine Jepsen on September 6, 1957 and welcomed two children, Robert Michael Oldnettle, born in 1958, and Carole Elaine Oldnettle in 1959. Both of his children chose careers in the US Armed Forces, Robert in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, and Carol in the Navy for 26 years.

Robert's second career began in the power plant business at Con Edison in Illinois, but preferring a kinder climate, in 1983 he and Carol relocated to Crystal River, FL, where he accepted a job as shift supervisor at Florida Power, working rotating shifts and showing the same leadership skills as he did in the Navy. Their marriage ended in 1984. After another 21 years, he retired from Florida Power, but soon went back as a private contractor for another five years just because he loved his people and loved to work. During the years before his second retirement, he enjoyed golf with his Citrus Hills buddies, fishing, riding Harley Motorcycles, (he once rode to Winnie, Texas, in 11/2 days (after working a midnight shift at Fl Power), playing Poker, and later on, RVing.

He married Patricia Hahn Marko to whom he was married for 38 years. The early years consisted of crazy schedules and lots of work in demanding jobs which they both loved until it was time to reassess goals and priorities.

In the early '90s they joined Seven Rivers Church where they attended and served and credited with strengthening their faith and sense of purpose throughout the years. They had many adventures RVing, mostly in the West and Southwest, with their beloved Yorkie. They built homes in Citrus Hills and Pine Ridge and in 2017 became early residents of the newly built Grand Living at Citrus Hills. With Robert's many health issues, it proved to be a great blessing as he declined and needed more care. He was tough to the core and passionately loved his country, but was the first to offer help or assistance to anyone who needed it. He adored every one of his extended family and was just Daddy,Grandpa, and later, Chief to them all. He once went to Chicago to take care of his three granddaughters when their mom had to have surgery. He loved to do motocross with his son, Robert and watch daughter, Carol's drill team.

One year he gathered the family men together and treated them to a pheasant hunt in Kentucky where some of the guys met each other for the first time. Right before they were to go on a long promised Elk hunt in Colorado as a reward for completing 4 years of college, Tommy lost his father. His mom insisted his dad would have wanted him to go. On the last day of the hunt, Tommy got an 800 pound bull elk with 1 perfectly shot arrow. The elk was driven up past Tommy's position by two mountain lions, which the guide said he'd never seen before. We were sure that it was God and Steve Mitchell, Tommy's dad, who were the driving forces of the lions!

Beside his loving wife, he leaves behind his two beloved children, Carol Oldnettle and Robert Oldnettle (Sylvia), two beloved step-children, Suzanne Webster (Dave) and David Rasmusson ( Nancy), four grandchildren, Bailey Oldnettle, Mahogany Ligon (Kanin), Jazzarae Jones (Karee), and Charyse Williams (Eric); four step grandchildren, Tasha Healy (Emmett), Cristie Quishuis-Bell (Richard), Julianne Mitchell (Austin, fiance), and 16 great grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Gary Oldnettle, of Conway, Arkansas, sister, Judy Pyke of Merced, California, and brother, William Oldnettle (deceased).

Robert's life will be celebrated on Saturday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Seven Rivers Church, 4221 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL,34461. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate in his memory to Seven Rivers Christian School at the above address or a charity of your choice.