Bob Gatanis

Robert "Bob" Gatanis, 89, passed away peacefully at home on June 3, 2026. Born on August 10, 1936, he grew up in Penns Grove, New Jersey, and was the second youngest of twelve children. He was married 66 years to the love of his life, Lillian Fay Gatanis(maiden-Lynn). He always told his daughter every day “I love you too!”

Bob graduated in 1955 from Salem High School in Salem, New Jersey and served in the Army from 1956-1958 with the Corps of Engineers building bridges in Stuttgart, Germany between World War II and Korean wars.

Bob began his working career with General Motors but shortly thereafter, hired with DuPont Chambers Works in Deepwater, New Jersey. He worked as special operator and shift foreman in Chemicals Manufacturing. He later transferred to the Corpus Christi, Texas plant in 1975, working as supervisor in freon, Chemicals Manufacturing. He was also supervisor over Bulk Storage Area and the Caustic Plant. He served as a construction coordinator for Syn-Gas operation in Houston, Texas as a temporary assignment.

In February 1984, Bob transferred with DuPont to the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, SC. He remained there with Westinghouse Savannah River Company after DuPont pulled out of SRS until he retired in 1993 at age 58. He worked as supervisor during construction of Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) for Manufacturing Construction Quality Verification and as senior supervisor over Mechanical Equipment Installation for WSRC. He later became manager of Mechanical Maintenance Manufacturing as well as manager over Startup Completions. He retired with over 32 years combined with Dupont/Westinghouse (WSRC).

Bob loved hunting in his early years and preferred just watching wildlife in his later years. He loved fishing, woodworking, and gardening. He loved and took pride in growing his tomatoes.

Bob and his wife Lillian were members of Millbrook Baptist Church in Aiken, SC and loved his Heavenly Father. He was part of a group of men called the Whittlers and spent many years helping church members who had needs like woodworking, electrical, plumbing, yardwork, etc.

Bob had this written in his wallet: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim, kings and kingdoms will all pass away but there’s something about that name.

Preceded in death by his parents Harry Gatanis Sr and Mary Manning Gatanis, brothers Ted, Tom, Harry, Nick, Paul, and Rich; sisters Rose, Florence, Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary.

Bob Gatanis is survived by his wife of 66 years Lillian Gatanis, daughter Valerie and Bill Long (son-in-law), granddaughter Brittany Poole (Talbot), grandson Ryan Talbot, and great-grandson Briley Poole, step granddaughter Victoria Krueger and husband Brandon and step great-grandsons Dominic and Corbin.

Cards or flowers for the family may be sent to Lillian Gatanis 1560 Crestwood St Newton, NC 28658 or Bill and Valerie Long 1540 Crestwood St Newton, NC 28658. Donations may be made to American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society) or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)

In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held. 

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Gatanis family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.