Robert Eugene Gambrel, 67, went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of July 4th, 2018. Robert (also known as Bob or Gene) was born on January 21st, 1951 in Keokuk, Iowa to Robert Leroy Gambrel and Mary Helen (LeMaster Gambrel) Ringstrom.
As a child, Robert lived in Keokuk, Iowa, Chicago & Hoffman Estates, Illinois until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. He completed his training at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California in 1969. He was very patriotic & proud to have been a United States Marine.
Robert was an amazing artist. He always kept his hands busy, whether it was drawing on a napkin, painting on a canvas, carving a gun stock or creating a piece of jewelry, his creative mind always produced a beautiful result. Robert LOVED music. He received his first guitar at the age of 13 & spent his life playing & singing with friends, family or just by himself. He enjoyed writing songs & poetry. He had a gift of putting his heart on paper so thoroughly & eloquently. Robert also built, by hand, many beautiful pieces of furniture in his time, from small jewelry & bread boxes to large hutches, butcher blocks & gun cabinets. His talents were endless. Robert also enjoyed driving. Whether it was heavy equipment, four wheelers, his logging trucks, taking a family road trip in one of his many beautiful vehicles or tearing up the road on a motorcycle with his ‘Brothers”, he was just happy putting on the miles.
He had many good friends that loved & respected him until the end & they are all appreciated.
Robert had three marriages in his lifetime. He was happiest at home in Montana. He loved to hunt, fish, shoot his guns & enjoyed every moment he spent outside in God’s country. He shared his love of the road, the outdoors & music with the six children he raised.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents (Robert & Mary), his step father- John “Jack” Ringstrom, step brother- Daniel Ringstrom, infant sister- Becky Elaine, granddaughter- Stephanie Carol (Bitler) Grogan & great granddaughter-LaRiah Justice Julian.
He is survived by his six children, Sanford Lee (Vicki), Georgann Carol (Nick), Joey Ray, Shawna Louise (Matt), Bobbie Gene (Greg) & Robert Joseph. He has 17 grandchildren & 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his Mom, Ruth (Bender) Gambrel. His siblings- Linda Lee (Johnny), Diane Cannon (Bob), Barb Ringstrom, Brenda Lightfoot, Debbie Kennard (Mike), Jim Gambrel (Kim), Donald Gambrel (Dena), John Gambrel (Jennifer) Tammy Ayala (Tony) & Joseph Ringstrom, and many Nieces & Nephews.
There are no services planned at this time for Robert. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.
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