A TRIBUTE TO ROBERT “BOB” GUNN

BY GINO VALERIANI

to us, Bob described the activities he and Sharron enjoyed in Hendersonville N.C. after their move there. He related, “We do climb and swing from trees, swim in frigid mountain streams, hang glide and all that stuff. And in our waking hours we shop, eat out, play cards, sing, and visit hospitals and sometimes even stay overnight.” Perhaps this is related to one of his favorite movies: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty? After the Gunns moved, Bob and I would have long telephone conversations which I enjoyed tremendously. Bob was saddened to retire from Hebron. I think he felt a bit like Tevye leaving Anatevka in Fiddler on the Roof. He loved Hebron and It kind of broke his heart to leave.

My wife, Patricia and I came to the Academy in 1979. It did not take long for us to connect with some unique, interesting, and welcoming people. We partook in thousands of meals and activities with Bob and Sharron Gunn and often had to be “reminded” that the dining hall was closed because we would continue to talk and joke. Bob and I shared many things in common. We spent many hours together talking philosophy, science, science fiction (Star Trek, Star Wars, Asimov), politics, occasionally watch late night talk shows (Carson and Letterman), Comedy TV shows (Cheers) and for better or worse for our students and friends, we exercised a penchant for puns. We both had what has been described as a “dry” sense of humor and were both “night owls.” Patricia and Sharron were friends and they kept in contact through the years as well. Bob had a great sense of humor. I loved the coy grin and twinkle in his eyes. We watched as their wonderful children, Heather ’90 and Ryan ’87 matured into adults. In a letter

For those that didn’t know Bob Gunn or need to be reminded, Bob was a Hebron faculty member from 1975 to 2005. During his career at Hebron among many other accomplishments he taught every math course at all levels, including Advanced Placement Calculus, Physics, and Computer Program- ming. He coached the debate and math teams and was a member of the Hebron orchestra. Bob sang in the Hebron chorus, directed the school’s acapella group - the Hebeegeebees, was a director of the Hillsman Chorus in the Norway-South Paris area for 18 years, and was an original member of the Hebron Experience Barbershop Quartet. He and Sharron were Halford Dorm parents for years. Bob helped time and/or score with most Track & Field meets (for which I was most grateful). The title and the following were taken from one of the yearly Christmas letters from Bob and his family. It is from a barbershop song that he liked:

“May the worst of your tomorrows be better than the best of your yesterdays”

“So now it is time to head off to bed, slowly (or I just don’t go) and to all a good night”

Good Night Bob.

Full obituary can be found at: Robert Lyle Gunn – Shuler Funeral Home