Robert Penn Gamester's Obituary
Robert Penn Gamester, 82, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully May 28th. He was surrounded by his loving family in the last days of his life. Rob had been under the care of LIFEPATH Hospice at the Colonnade at Northdale in North Tampa. The family would like to thank the caring staff who helped Rob.
He was born in Worcester, MA December 7, 1939 to Madelyn Munce Steele and Norman Rawson Steele. Madelyn remarried Frederick Gamester who adopted Rob and sister Judy in May, 1948. The family moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida when Rob was in elementary school. Rob attended Tarpon Springs High School where he played golf, and basketball. Outside of athletics, Rob played the saxophone in the school band, was correspondent for the Tampa Tribune, contributed to the school newspaper, and was President of his High School Class ’57.
In 1957, while attending Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA, Rob met the love of his life, Frances Claudette Matthews. They married in March 1958, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. After graduating from Andrew College as President of the Freshmen Class, he transferred to the University of Georgia where he graduated in the top 15% of his Class in 1961.
They moved to Tampa in 1967, and had four loving children. Rob worked for Mutual of New York for many years and excelled, however his passion was working in the community. Rob served as President for the Tampa Chapter of the Jaycees, the Town n’ Country Civic Assoc., and the Leto HS Booster Club. He served as Founder of the Greater Tampa Junior Golf Assoc. (GTJGA) and the Junior Golf Associations of Florida. He was Co-founder for the Town n’ Country Youth Council and was a member of the Town n’ Country Garden Circle. Rob planned and organized the Town n’ Country Greenway, and was very involved in the building of the Town n’ Country Library. His love of his family and his grandchildren inspired his drive to do better for the youth in the Greater Tampa area.
More than anything, his family meant the world to him. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Fran, sister Judy Ruth, daughter Amanda Barton (Churchill), daughter Selena Cusmano (Steve), son Gregg Gamester (Amy), daughter Robin Bennett (Stacy), 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
The family will hold a private Memorial at a later date.
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