Robert Gegan

Robert Kenneth Gegan

25 September 1920 – 30 January 2018

Robert Kenneth “Bob” Gegan was the son of Ambrose Francis Gegan and his wife Winifred Gertrude Holleran, born on September 25, 1920, in Reno, Nevada, where his father worked for the Hercules Powder Company.  Remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, Bob passed away peacefully after a short illness at Carlton Senior Living in Davis, CA, on January 30, 2018.  Known as “Babe” to his siblings, Bob moved with his family to Berkeley, CA, in the 1920s.  A pole vaulter on the Berkeley High School track team, he graduated in 1938.  During World War II, he served in reconnaissance with the 79th Lorraine Infantry Division, earning the Silver Star for exceptional bravery in combat on July 4, 1944.  After the war, Bob worked in sales management for Pacific Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco until his retirement in 1985.  A member of the Elks fraternal order, Bob lived in his Mountain View home for 60 years, until he moved to be nearer to family in Davis in 2014.

Bob married Ruth Caroline Jannusch on April 4, 1954, in Ben Lomond, California. They greatly enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends throughout the west coast, attending golf tournaments at Pebble Beach, and vacationing in Mexico. After Ruth passed away on November 24, 1993, Bob joined his friends on travels to many locations, including to New Orleans, the Caribbean, and to Normandy and France to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of VE-Day.

Bob is survived by two sons, Gary (Janet) Gegan of Culver City and Robert (Annie) Gegan of Davis, daughter-in-law Pamella Geagan of Camarillo, and grandchildren Cooper and Natalie Gegan, Joe, Ross, and Michael Gegan, Aaron and Spenser Gegan, and Kate (Ian) Olsen.  He is the great grandfather of Alicen Olsen.  Also surviving are his nieces Joanna Machek, Barbara Hazlewood, and Anne Zadek, and nephews John Gegan, Michael Gegan, Matthew Gegan, and David Hyman.  Bob was predeceased by his parents, wife Ruth, his son Patrick Gegan in 2010, brothers Ambrose “Bud” Gegan and John “Jack” Gegan, and his sister Winifred P. Gegan. Also preceding in death was Bob’s first wife Alice Duthie.

Interment will be at the Davis Cemetery next to his wife Ruth.