Robert E. Gorman, born in Akron, Ohio, on June 19, 1944, passed away on January 20, 2017, in Naples, Florida, after a 22-year struggle with prostate cancer.
A better father, grandfather, husband, educator, and role model cannot be imagined by those who dearly loved him.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Jack and Claire Gorman. Those left behind to carry on his memory are his wife of 48 years, Grace (DiCaudo) Gorman; sons, Robert (Stephanie Land) Gorman; Jeffrey (Jennifer) Gorman; and daughter, Rebecca (Daniel) O'Neill; his brother, John; and his grandchildren, Benjamin, Jane, and Gracelin.
A lifelong Akron resident, Bob attended Central High School and went on to earn a BA and MA from The University of Akron.
In his 30 years of teaching of American, British, and European Literature at Wadsworth High School, he was beloved by students and colleagues alike. His ability to open the worlds of literature, art, and music to his students through fun, engaging, and interactive means is one of his most enduring legacies. His performances as Gregor Mendel are remembered by many, and he was voted Wadsworth High School's Favorite Teacher in 1988. His extracurricular activities included serving as tennis coach, pantomime group adviser, and assistant senior class advisor. His family would like to thank the many former students who reached out with their kind words and memories in Bob's final days.
Our gratitude also goes out to the excellent medical care he received from Dr. Rosanne DiLauro; Dr. Sharon DiLauro; the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute; Cleveland Clinic Akron General Visiting Nurse Service: Kathy Meyer, Norma Beck, Missy, and Dr. Day; Devoted Companions; Tammy Bell; and Vitas Hospice of Physicians Regional Medical Center in Naples, Florida.
Bob enjoyed traveling, whether it was chaperoning student trips to Europe or spending a few winter months in Florida with "his" palm trees. His love of languages spanned from fluent Spanish and French to self-taught Italian and a little German and Japanese. He found joy in the simplest things: gardening, feeding the birds (his "pointy-faced friends") in his back yard, cheering for Cleveland sports teams, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren.
His involvement with Akron community included joining his wife singing with the St. Martha Choir, the Goodyear Community Singers, and the Peace Together Choir. After his retirement, Bob also enjoyed working with his friends at Shriber Auto Parts in Cuyahoga Falls.
Bob's love of laughter, his quirky sense of humor, his gift for storytelling, his devotion to his family, and his enduring faith will be with us always.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church at 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron, Ohio, on Saturday, January 28, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Silver Springs Cemetery in Stow. Calling hours will be at Hennessy Funeral Home (corner of York and Main), 552 North Main St., Akron, Ohio, on Friday, January 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. You can share your memories of Bob at a Facebook page set up in his honor (bit.ly/BobGorman). In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Bob's honor made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (
pcf.org) or the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institude.
