Robert Gorman's Obituary
Robert (Bob) William Gorman, 79, of Huntersville died January 6, 2023. He was born in Pennsylvania on June 28, 1943 to the late Abe and Mary Gorman.
At 17 and 15 respectively, Bob and Carolyn met through their local church and high school. It was the beginning of a loving partnership for over six decades. Bob and Carolyn were married for 57 years and blessed with 3 wonderful children and 5 grandchildren. He loved spending time with family, and was unfailingly devoted to them all. Bob and Carolyn made many friends among neighbors in Somerset, NJ; Coral Springs, FL, and Huntersville, NC over the years.
Bob loved playing golf, softball, and bowling. When he wasn’t coaching or umpiring, he loved cheering on his children and grandchildren, whether in person or via live stream, at baseball, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, and Destination Imagination games and competitions.
While any beach vacation was a great vacation, his favorites were Marco Island and Hilton Head.
Bob graduated from Upper Darby High School and then Drexel University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi fraternity. After graduation, Bob was commissioned through the ROTC program at Drexel as an infantry Second Lieutenant. During his service in Vietnam, he served as a Rifle Company Platoon leader. Decorations for his service include a Bronze Star Medal with V Device (for Valor in combat), 2 additional Bronze Star Medals, the Air Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star. Upon his return stateside, Bob continued to serve as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, where he obtained the rank of Captain.
Bob worked for over 40 years in sales in the health and beauty industry, working his way up to the executive level. His business travels took him all around the country as well as to Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, and China.
Bob’s faith and values were demonstrated daily through his lifelong support of the church and community, which brought him great joy. He was actively involved at Huntersville United Methodist Church, as well as American Legion Post 321, the Lions Club, and in the Jaycees. In recognition of his outstanding military service, Bob was inducted into the North Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 2019, and served as the Grand Marshal of the Huntersville Veteran’s Day parade in 2021.
Survivors include his wife Carolyn; sons, Eric and wife Wendy of Cornelius, NC and David and wife Courtney of Dallas, TX; daughter, Debora of Annapolis, MD; brother, William Gorman and wife Bonnie of Pittsburgh, PA; sister in-law Sarah Braun of Somerset, NJ; brother and sister in-law Wayne and Edith Crawford of Prospect Park, PA; and grandchildren, Peyton, Benjamin, Jacob, Penelope, and Bodie. He was preceded in death by siblings, Donald Braun and Sheila Hanley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Huntersville United Methodist Church at Give | HUMC (huntersvilleumc.org) or the American Legion at www.nclegion.org and designate Post 321.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, January 21 at Huntersville U.M.C., 14005 Stumptown Rd., Huntersville, NC with visitation to follow.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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