Robert Edward Gatten Jr.

Dear Gatten Family- I am devastated to learn of Dr. Gattens death. He was such a warm, kind, vibrant man and I always enjoyed seeing him. He took such good care of himself and was so fit....I am truly shocked.
He would always speak of you all.
David, I always enjoyed hearing about your latest accomplishments and your beautiful daughter.
I am so sorry. I know he will be dearly missed by all. Please know I am sending hugs and love. I will miss him.
Fondly,
Amy Young Jordan

Dear Florence,
Dr. Gatten's photo from his safari is in a prominent place in our dental office. The whole team at Bertrand A. Bonnick DDS PLLC is saddened by our loss of a great friend. We fondly recall our lunch recess with him as he reviewed his trip to Africa. We have thought fondly of the possibility of going on a Lewis and Clarke tour with him as our guide. We have certainly lost a friend and part of our family. We are fortunate and privileged to have shared the experience of this amazing human being. We hope some of his kindness and great attributes rubbed off on us.
Bertrand Bonnick DDS and Dental Team

I met Dr. Gatten as an undergraduate at UNCG when he was head of the biology department. He advised me throughout my academic career and as an adjunct faculty member under the MCH School of Medical Technology. He was a huge reference for me with my first official college degree job. He was an amazing mentor and instructor of science. I hope he knew how influential he was in all the students lives he touched. RIP.

I never met Bob, nor had I heard of him before this year. The only thing I knew about him was that he had organized our Marine Biology lecture on physiology. I wish that I could have met him, however, because he seemed to be a wonderful man. I pray for peace for his soul and his family and friends who are grieving.

I knew Bob as an undergraduate at William and Mary, and always considered him a friend. We renewed our friendship a few years ago during one of the Alumni fund raising events, and Bob recruited me to be a Class Ambassador with him for the Class of 1966.

We will all miss Bob, and I wish to send my condolences to his family.

Florence,
So terribly sad to hear of Bob's death. I have so many fond memories of him from our undergraduate years and from the 50th Reunion.
Cam Buchanan

Dear Florence: I had the distinct honor to work with Bob on so many initiatives at UNCG. His energy, passion, wisdom, and integrity made every endeavor better. He touched so many students, faculty, and staff. Arthur and I send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. He will be missed.

Florence, My heart goes out to you and you family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

It was with sadness that I learned of Bob Gatten's passing. His obituary highlighted a life well-lived.
My wife, Terry, and I send condolences to Bob's wife, Florence. I knew her in Florida where we both attended Coral Gables High. As impressive a life as Bob's obituary highlighted, I am sure he had the perfect partner in Florence, and we pray for her and their children during this difficult time.

Florence, I am so very sorry to learn of Bob's passing. While I knew Bob only briefly, his intellect, warmth and devotion to you were so apparent during our first meeting. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Jim Guidone

Bob and I were classmates in the Biology Department at the College of William and Mary. He was one of the finest individuals I have ever known. We corresponded by E-mail just a month ago and his passing comes as a tremendous shock to me. He will be missed by me and all at William and Mary who had the privilege of knowing him.

It was with great sadness that I learned of Dr Bob Gatten's illness and then his death 2 days ago. Such a beautiful person with vitality, joy and so many passions. He will be sorely missed by his lovely family, many many friends and colleagues and, yours truly, his former physician and Friendly Acres neighbor many years ago. Our deepest condolences to you all. Bob was one of those memorable souls who touched many lives in more ways than he could possibly know. God bless you all.

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. You both were such a huge support system to us during our Rep years. Hugs to your entire family! ❤❤

My husband died in 1982 and I knew I had to have a career to support myself. I went to UNC-G in the Winter of 1983 after having been out of college for eleven years. I was sick and somewhat scared and trying to cope with being alone. I took physiology my first semester and Dr. Gatten was my professor. I took an exam and missed one question on the heart. I went to talk with him about it and he patiently explained to me how to think the question through. That was the greatest lession I ever learned in acquiring two BS degrees in unrelated majors! I have thought about him many, many times and wanted to go back and thank him. I really believe because of him, I am much better at learning and thinking through every situation I have encountered in life. I am so very thankful he took the time to help me. In my opinion, he was the best professor I ever had.

I share in your grief today as I remember that my beloved Daddy died 50 years ago today, on Sunday. I still miss him as I feel sure you will miss your husband, father, and grandfather.

God is good. He gave you a wonderful man who obviously shared with a lot of the world to make it a better place. God gave you a wonderful family. He will help you get through your loss and remind you of all the wonderful times you shared together. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sending deepest condolences to the Gatten family - my dear friend Florence, David, Elizabeth, Lydia and Darwin. You were all lights in Bob's world. It was a privilege to know him.

May god bless you and your family at this difficult time.

As the new Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, I had the chance to meet Bob a few times. He was a real gentleman and scholar. We very much appreciate his support for UNCG.

Warmest wishes, John Z. Kiss