Robert Gallardo

Robert Gallardo of Winter Park, Florida, passed away October 15th, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born December 5th, 1944, in Bronx, New York, to Robert N. and Anna D. Gallardo. He had an adventure-filled childhood as the oldest of four children who traveled the country and world with their military parents, living on or near bases from Virginia to Washington, and as far away as Germany. Bob loved his childhood memories as a "military brat", recalling meeting new friends, learning new languages, and enjoying new foods as they moved from base to base. Bob was a happy child who loved sports and being outdoors in all the places he called home, and he always kept a protective eye on his three younger sisters.

Bob attended high school for three years in Munich, Germany, by train from Bad Tolz, where his family was stationed. He met the love of his life, Cynthia, in that small German town, where she was also stationed with her military family. Two years his junior, Cynthia was not yet allowed to date, so they arranged secret rendez-vous at the movies, using her friendship with Bob's sister Carole as a cover. In 1963 his family moved to Arlington, Virginia where he attended Yorktown High School and played on the football team, graduating in 1964. He attended North Carolina State University before enlisting in the Army in 1966. He entered training as a helicopter pilot, earning the rank of Chief Warrant Officer after a year of intensive training in Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Ft. Wolters, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Following his training, Bob was furloughed for one month, during which he married his sweetheart Cynthia. They had a military wedding in Jamestown, RI on May 13th, 1967 and honeymooned in Montreal, Canada, and Lake Placid, NY. Bob deployed to Vietnam in June 1967, and was stationed in Lai Khe, northwest of Saigon. He was assigned to the "Robinhoods," the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, flying many missions inserting and extracting troops from combat. The helicopter he piloted in the Vietnam War is now on prominent display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. After returning from Vietnam he and Cynthia were stationed in Savannah, GA at Hunter Army Airfield, where he instructed future helicopter pilots.

After his four years of active duty, Bob chose to attend the University of Florida to continue pursuing his bachelor's degree. He graduated magna cum laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Design and continued at UF to complete his Master of Arts in Architecture in 1973. After graduation Bob and Cynthia moved to Orlando, FL where he began his career working at Watson & Company architectural firm. The following year, Bob took a position with Orange County Public Schools, as their Director of Planning and Construction. As Director, he was in charge and oversaw the design and construction of many Orange County elementary, middle and high schools, as well as many additions to existing facilities. Early in Bob's career he and Cynthia welcomed their daughter Ashley (1975) and son Robert (1979).

As a young father, Bob spent his time outside of work coaching his son's Little League team, playing racquetball and tennis, bird hunting, and offshore fishing on the "ARR-GEE" (his 1979 Mako) with his friends and family. The ARR-GEE was his prize possession and he spent countless hours maintaining and improving his fishing machine which still runs to this day. When he wasn't working on the boat, he was typically in the garage which he used as a workshop to build or repair just about everything at the home they've owned in Winter Park since 1973. When Ashley started rowing for the Winter Park High School Crew Team it began 8 years (Rob followed in her footsteps) of traveling around the state on the weekends to cheer on his kids. As the kids got older, a family tradition was diving for lobsters with friends down in the Florida Keys for the mini-season. Bob was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing beautiful courses all over the country. He was very proud to see both his children attend the University of Florida and would travel up to Gainesville with Cynthia for every home game where they enjoyed great meals and tailgating with the kids and their friends.

Bob spent his last four years working at Stottler, Stagg & Associates before he retired in 2004. Shortly thereafter he and Rob purchased a flats fishing boat, the Mellow Mood, on which they spent considerable time chasing redfish and trout in Florida backwaters. In his retirement, Bob enjoyed annual trips to Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association reunions, loved Friday night happy hour with friends at Outback, and was always the most vocal spectator at his grandchildren's sporting events. He was the biggest Gator football fan in town, going to every home game, and many away games. When he was unable to attend a game, no one or anything could prevent him from watching them play on TV. Bob was an exceptionally gifted painter and could build just about anything; from beautiful furniture for Cynthia to custom fishing rods for each of the grandchildren. Bob never lost his love of adventure and travel, and took many memorable trips with Cynthia and their friends, but he seemed to derive the most joy from staying at home to play and swim with his grandkids.

You would never know that Bob started his serious battles with health at age 40. He bounced back from his numerous setbacks with determination to not let it slow him down. Even in his last years with debilitating pulmonary arterial hypertension, he kept his spirits up with a positive attitude and humor. He savored time with his adoring grandchildren, family and enjoyed his lifelong friendships with five special couples, who Bob and Cynthia have always considered extended family.

He will be greatly missed by his family: his wife of 51 years, Cynthia Bakios Gallardo of Winter Park, FL, his two children; Ashley Steiner (Jason), Rob Gallardo (Rebecca), both of Winter Park, his five beloved grandchildren; Isabella Lewless, James Lewless, Sophia Gallardo, Nicholas Gallardo, and Bowen Steiner, his sisters; Carole Caso (Carlos) of Denver, CO, Maria Gallardo-Johnson (Art) of Ellsworth, WI, Christine Morehead (Robert) of Foster City, CA, nieces and nephews; Dereck Caso, Tiffany Ogle, Nathan Gallardo-Johnson, Shauntay Gallardo-Johnson, Shanice Gallardo-Johnson, Tyler Morehead, and Kelsey Morehead; and great nieces and nephews; Xavier Caso, Alexis Caso, Maximus Ogle and Mia Ogle. He is predeceased by his mother Anna D. Gallardo, and father Lt. Col. Robert Gallardo.

In lieu of a funeral service, Bob wanted us to have a party. We will celebrate his life with friends and family on Sunday, November 4th from 5-9pm at the Winter Park Country Club.

Memorial donations in Bob's honor may be made to the following organizations, which he supported for many years.

Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville FL 32256 (woundedwarriorproject.org)

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Endowment, 2100 N Highway 360, Suite 907, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 (vhpa.org)