Robert Gates

Robert (Bob) Lindberg Gates was born June 25, 1933, in Bronxville, New York: the only child of Joseph and Elsie Lindberg Gates. In 1935 the family moved to Upper Arlington where Bob became interested in tennis at a young age. A highlight of his early career was receiving a letter and ten dollars from A.W. Trabert (father of Tony Trabert) to help with expenses for the Kalamazoo National Junior and Boys Tennis Championship. Bob was ranked 12th in the US at the age of 15. He played football and tennis all four years at UA High School and was tennis team captain his senior year. After graduating from UA 1951, he entered OSU’s College of Commerce and Business Administration and graduated in 1955. He played for the OSU tennis team all four years and was a member of the PHI GAMMA DELTA fraternity.

After serving in the US Army from 1955—1957, he returned to OSU and graduated with a degree in Education in 1960. For the next 27 years, he taught business and accounting subjects at several local schools and retired from New Albany Local High School. Business Law was his favorite subject to teach. In addition, he coached the boys’ reserved tennis team at U.A. in 1983-84 and was Head Coach for girls’ and boys’ tennis teams at Pickerington HS in 1985-89. He also provided tennis lessons for the Pickerington Parks Program for several summers.

He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, the Pickerington Lions Club, and Varsity O. Bob was an avid OSU football fan often attending championship games across the country. He always remained loyal to his love of tennis, attending both OSU and high school matches for years until he was no longer physically able. Additionally, he continued to play tennis at Scarbarrow Tennis club until arthritis made it impossible. He was also an excellent swimmer and spent many hours at the Charmers YMCA swimming laps until he was in his late seventies.

Bob seldom missed the Columbus Dispatch’s daily crossword puzzle and always completed it using a red pen. He also loved trivia and was well versed in WWII history, sports, and old movies and their stars. He enjoyed any challenge or bet and usually won.

Survived by his wife Sharon (Sherri) of 32 years; stepsons Tod Felton (Elina) of Gahanna, Ohio, and Scot Felton (April) of Glendale, Arizonia; step granddaughters Emilee and Mollie of Gahanna and Braxton of Glendale, step grandsons Sladen and Brody of Glendale; sister-in-law Sandy Matz (Jim) of Lancaster, Ohio; brother-in-law Max McNichols (Karen) of Baltimore, Ohio; and great niece, Tia Pennington, who spent many happy times with her Aunt and Uncle growing up, as well as many more nieces, nephews, former classmates, friends, and his beloved Boston Terrier Dolly.

Honoring his wishes, a private family service will be held (officiated by the Rev. Dr. Richard Mague) and burial will be in Forest Rose Cemetery (Lancaster, Ohio). To celebrate Bob’s life, his family asks that donations be made to a youth organization of your choice. Or, if you have a waiter/waitress who is working their way through school, leave them a big tip. Try to live as Bob always did: be generous, be kind, and always say “thank you, I appreciate what you have done for me.” To those of you who remember “the grin”—feel blessed.