Robert John Gibadlo

Hampton, NH - Robert John Gibadlo, 89, a long-time Hampton resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 29, 2013. Robert was born at home on February 1, 1924 in Lawrence, MA, a son of the late Jacob and Julia (Tenczar) Gibadlo. He attended local schools there and upon graduation from high school in June 1941, he attended the U.S. Diesel Engineering School in Boston and Northeastern University. His college education was interrupted by military service, where he proudly served in the Army Air Corp during World War II as a member of the Air Transport Command stationed in China, Burma, and India. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, he returned to Northeastern University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in June 1951. He then worked as the assistant to chief engineer at Fleischmann’s Manufacturing Corp. in Lowell, MA. In December 1952, he accepted an engineering position with Multiple Products Corp in Nashua, NH, where he was employed until he came to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1954. Mr. Gibadlo began his government career as a naval architect for the shipyard on September 7, 1954. In 1958, he was promoted to general engineer in the reactor engineering branch of the Nuclear Power Division and on June 25, 1961, he was promoted to Nuclear Power Engineer. In 1970, he was promoted to Nuclear Facilities and Equipment Manager. During his 32 year career at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Mr. Gibadlo had additional assignments as refueling director, general superintendant of refueling, and as Chief Refueling Engineer where he was the recipient of many awards and commendations. He attended graduate engineering courses at the University of New Hampshire and the University of California at Berkeley. In his leisure time he liked to play golf, bowl, collect coins, and dance. He was a former member of Portsmouth Country Club. Beginning in the early 1970’s, and continuing into the late 1980’s, he was a regular member of Dr. Wear’s adult physical education program at UNH. There he enjoyed the benefits of routine physical activities, as well as the ensuing social aspects of regularly meeting with his fellow classmates. Upon retirement, Bob and his wife Helen enjoyed winters in Myrtle Beach, SC where they played golf and expanded upon their network of friends. They were active promoters of the Grasshoppers of New Hampshire serving as local presidents for a number of years. In addition to his wife Helen, with whom he shared nearly 62 years of marriage; he is survived by his daughter Donna Harvey and her husband Terry of Greenland; sons, Robert Gibadlo Jr. of Hampton, Donald Gibadlo of Pikesville, MD., Richard Gibadlo and his wife Sharen of Hampton; five grandchildren, Cari Bourn, Chad Gibadlo, Emily Gibadlo, Daniella Gibadlo, and Darren Gibadlo; five great-grandchildren, Hailee and Ella Gibadlo, and Audrey, Austin, and Gabriel Bourn and sister Eileen Lucas of Methuen, MA. Visiting hours will be from 5-7 P.M. Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 A.M. Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Hampton. Burial will follow in the High Street Cemetery, Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Robert John Gibadlo

February 1, 1924 - September 29, 2013