Robert Harry Gulcher
August 26, 1925 - May 9, 2018
Robert H. Gulcher, August 26, 1925 - May 9, 2018. Robert Gulcher, WWII veteran and transformative aerospace engineer, South Bay philanthropist died at 92. It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Harry Gulcher, "Bob," announces his passing after a valiant fight against prostate cancer on Wednesday, May 9, at the age of 92.
Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Suzi; and his children, Robin (Susan), Jeff (Lisa), Don (Stephanie), Andy (fiancée, Kristen), and Kristin (David). Bob will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Griffin, Matt, Alexis, Zachary, Sophia, Izabella, and Grace; and his great-granddaughter, Felicity. He is predeceased by his brother Alban "Bud" Gulcher and grandson Christopher Gulcher.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Bob answered the call of duty in 1944 by completing an accelerated wartime course in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy so that he could serve the country. That service came as an engineering cadet midshipman in the form of six Atlantic crossings with the U.S. Merchant Marines to the European theater, during which time his convoys sporadically came under German U-boat attack. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Coast Guard and awarded the Atlantic War Zone Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
Before the war, Bob attended The Ohio State University, where he was drum major for "the best damn band in the land, (TBDBITL)" and later marched in the OSU Alumni Band at OSU football games many times later until he was 80. An accomplished clarinet player and musician, Bob played in several local venues in and around Columbus during and after his time in college.
Graduating from Ohio State with a degree in electrical engineering, he used that degree plus the mechanical engineering degree from the Academy to launch a career in aerospace engineering, which commenced in 1951 with North American Aviation (Rockwell International, Boeing), and becoming its Chief Engineer and VP of Research and Engineering until retiring in 1991.
After such dedication to his professional life, the primary motivation for his final 25 years was in giving back alongside the love of his life, Suzi. Thus, he embarked upon several philanthropic and volunteer endeavors in and around the South Bay. These included Little Company of Mary Foundation (Trustee Emeritus), Rotary Club (president and director of club foundation), St. Paul's Church, South Bay Conference of Lutheran Southwest Synod (chairman), Habitat for Humanity, and the Concourse d' Elegance. Suzi and Bob were honored as Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year in 2009.
A viewing will be held on Friday, June 1, between 4-8 pm at White & Day Mortuary, at 901 Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach. Additionally, the military service and interment will take place on Saturday, June 2, at 10 am at Green Hills Mortuary, at 27501 Ssouth Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes. Finally, a celebration of life in memory of Bob will be held that Saturday at 2 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 31290 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob's name to the Cardiovascular Center of Excellence at Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital Center Torrance (4101 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, 90503) or Providence Trinity Care Hospice (5315 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, 90503). Rice Mortuary, (310) 792-7599.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on May 27, 2018
The following article appears in Script Ohio.
World War II was at its peak in August 1943, when Bob Gulcher, 18, received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps. He was to report in December. Due to the many changes occurring at the time, the OSU drum major tryouts were moved from the spring quarter to the fall, immediately prior to the football season. Thinking that this might be the only chance he would have for a long time, he decided to try his luck.
Not many contenders showed up for the tryouts, although the number was probably in proportion to the number of band members, who were also difficult to find.
Gulcher (OSUMB drum major 1943), remembering that 1943 was a year of challenges for the band, said, "We had a difficult time recruiting members. We added woodwinds and also had 'marchers', as they were called, just carrying instruments. It was even difficult getting a drum major uniform. One was finally reconstructed out of several that were recovered from prior drum majors. Due to fuel rationing, we were unable to travel, but we held many rallies on campus and in theatres in downtown Columbus. We may have been thin in talent and resources, but we were strong in spirit!"
