Robert Gerald 'Bob' Dannels passed away peacefully from Parkinson's disease on October 3, 2025. Born July 4, 1942 in Denison, Iowa, the middle of the three sons of Andy Gerald Dannels and Norma Ebert Dannels. The family moved shortly after to Brigham City, Utah eventually settling in Ogden, Utah. Bob attended Judge Memorial Catholic School for 12 years, where he played on the State Championship Football team in his senior year, graduating in 1960. He attended the University of Utah and remained a loyal fan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1960, with basic training at Fort Ord, CA, then based at Fort Lewis, in Seattle, Washington, & eventually transferred to Fort Douglas as an accountant. An expert marksman, he achieved the rank of Sergeant E-6 before his honorable discharge in 1966. His first job was working for his father at The Allen Oil Company. He later took a job at Utah Power & Light on the western survey crew. In 1966 he began his career at Western Airlines "the only way to fly," which merged with Delta Airlines in 1987. Based in Salt Lake City, he became an instructor in the Air Cargo division for the intermountain region, which took him back and forth from Atlanta on a weekly basis. He also trained employees in Frankfurt, Germany during the Pan Am acquisition process. After 35 years of service, Bob retired in 2001. He earned his pilot's license, owned his own airplane, and until his final illness, volunteered at Salt Lake City International Airport, directing passengers in the place he loved most.
Bob was a lifelong baseball fan, an avid golfer, always improving his swing, and a great bowler, competing in the American Bowling Congress for over 25 years. He was an enthusiastic traveller, especially to his favorite destination, Hawaii. He served as HOA President of his community for over 20 years. His favorite television was the old western series, which he was sure to watch whenever there wasn't baseball. He married his beloved wife of 46 years, Georgianne Poulsen White in 1979, who brought him much happiness and a built-in family of four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Bob was a loyal husband, devoted son, loving brother, favorite uncle, amazing father and grandfather. Generous and compassionate, he maintained lifelong friendships, dependable and loyal to the very end. He loved people and they loved him. When asked about how he wanted to be remembered, he would simply reply, as a friend to all!
Preceded in death by his parents Andy and Norma Dannels of Salt Lake City, UT, his brother Richard William Dannels of Hamburg, NJ, and his granddaughter Angela Laurie Young of Salt Lake City, Bob is survived by his wife Georgianne Dannels of Midvale Utah; his brother, Roger Dannels (Paula) of Irmo, SC; his sister-in-law Therese Connor Dannels of Hamburg, NJ; his four children by marriage, Robin Anne Young of Mt. Juliet, TN, Lisa Dawn Maden of Midvale, UT, Gary Stephen White (Jennifer) and Patrick Kennedy White both of Riverton, UT; three grandchildren Brittany Vogen of Taylorsville, UT, Adam James Young (Tarrah) of Nashville, TN and Alexandra White Halleck (Jeff) of Columbia Falls, MT; three great-grandchildren Nicholas Hymas, Zachary Hymas and Harvey Halleck; and many loving nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Abbington Senior Living of Murray, Utah for their excellent care.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 11, 2025 at 2:00pm
Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary
3401 S. Highland Drive
Millcreek, UT 84106
A viewing will be held one hour prior

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune, The Salt Lake Tribune from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12, 2025.