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Robert Gessner Obituary
He graduated from Lincoln High, class of 1944. Bob attended The University of Nebraska earning his bachelor's degree in 1948. He furthered his education at Union College in Schenectady, NY earning his master's degree in 1965. He served with the US Navy during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1946.
Bob had a rewarding career working as an engineer for General Electric Co. in Schenectady, NY. He worked in both the general engineering lab and the gas turbine division. From the late 1960's until his retirement in 1987, Bob was the Manager of Industrial Applications Engineering for GE's Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines Engineering Department as that business expanded exponentially over 20 years. Bob was a member of the GE Elfun Club and the ¼ Century Club. He was a trustee, lector and member of Our Lady of Grace Church and was involved in the leadership role of the establishment of the new church on Midline Road in Ballston Lake. He was a longstanding member of the Edison Club in Rexford.
Bob was very involved and present in his children's endeavors. Through the years, he took on roles such as Cub Scout Master for Pack 83 in Ballston Lake as well as the softball coach for his daughters, and was a lifetime member of the PTA. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed playing golf.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife Norma J. (McGee) Gessner; his adoring children, Robert Gessner, Catherine (Kevin Cosgrove) Gessner, Daniel (Sarai Lopez) Gessner, Julia Parsons, and Andrew (Garth Huggins) Gessner; his dear sisters, Shirley Ann Good (the late Robert), Virginia (Robert L) Lewis and Annette (Mark) Mullin; and his loving grandchildren Caitlyn and Nathan Parsons and Alex Nelson.
In addition to his parents Bob was predeceased by his brother Eugene A. Gessner, son Timothy James Gessner and granddaughter, Anastasia McGee Nelson.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, NY 12019.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church 73 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, NY 12019.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ballston Spa NY.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions in his honor be made to The Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508
Visit Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com.
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Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries
Eileen Egan Mack
March 18, 2024
Robert and his dear wife were very good friends with my parents and very good to my mother when she became a widow. I am glad to call them friends, too. I will always remember the sound of his beautiful deep voice when he read the Psalms at Mass.
Eileen Egan Mack
March 25, 2022
Dear Norma and Family,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, and wonderful human being. I will always remember the beautiful deep voice of his and so glad he shared it as a lector at Our Lady of Grace. It really helped us listen to the readings. Of course, he always had a ready and easy smile and conveyed the feeling of being a very open hearted, welcoming person. I am glad to have known him since my childhood, but alas, I wish I knew him better. I am grateful for your and his friendship with my parents. I am very grateful for your friendship and help to my mother when she was becoming frail in body. How wonderful to have lifelong friends like these! I look forward to hearing more about his life as you all work to keep his presence and spirit alive.
Fondly,
Eileen
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