Robert William Hendry

We thought he was indestructible - he survived football (before concussion protocols), climbed the Matterhorn, skiied Mont Blanc, survived helicopter crashes, bullet wounds, and motorcycle crashes. Robert William Hendry, aged 79, of Waldorf, Maryland, died peacefully at home on Sunday morning, January 28, 2024, due to complications related to cancer.

Bob Hendry was born in Long Beach, California in 1944 to John Newton Hendry, Sr. and Thelma Phyllis Wodock Hendry. Bob moved to Glenolden, Pennsylvania with his mother and his brother, John, in 1952. He attended Interboro High School, played football and ran track, and graduated in 1963. He then attended Penn State and, as a member of the football team, played in the Rose Bowl, before enlisting in the Army.

After attending boot camp, he was stationed in Kassel, Germany before he was reassigned to Vencenza, Italy. He served three tours in Vietnam during which time he was commissioned as a 2nd LT and sent to flight school. Flying helicopters became a life-long passion. His Army career took him throughout Europe and the United States. While in the Army, Bob got his BS from Cameron University in Oklahoma and his Masters in Information Systems from the University of Southern California (USC). He retired as a Major from the Army in 1984, serving as a Comptroller in Heidelberg, Germany.

Bob met his wife, Gail, in Heidelberg in 1982. She was a contractor and directed to use the computer equipment in his office. Their attraction was immediate, they dated, and eventually were married in Camp Springs, Maryland in 1986. They moved to Waldorf, Maryland and raised their three children there. Bob’s second career revolved around computers, primarily Configuration Management with Defense Contractors.

Bob’s Christian faith became a prominent part of his life. He was led to study the Bible as well as the writings of prominent theologians. His quest for knowledge never waned; he continued to read, study, and question those he thought more knowledgeable.

Bob enjoyed many hobbies. He was an avid and skilled downhill skier, skiing frequently in Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland with the Heidelberg Ski Club. He enjoyed photography, always taking photographs and filling albums during his travels in both Europe and the US. He enjoyed fly fishing and tying the necessary flies, even some that were not so necessary; just because they looked like fun. Weekends were usually reserved for watching football, Saturdays for College ball (which he preferred) and Sundays for the Philadelphia Eagles. In later years, he became an avid reader, mostly of mysteries and crime novels.

Bob will be remembered for many things, but always for his sense of humor. He would make fun of himself, enjoy a good (and sometimes bad) joke, and was always ready for a laugh, even at his own expense. He loved to share stories of his life, from his high school days, his Army career, his time in Germany, and his family. We will continue to make trips to Sharon Hill, PA to enjoy a cheesesteak at Leo’s. And we will continue to cheer on the Phillies, the Flyers, and most especially the Eagles. “Fly Eagles Fly!” Robert Hendry was one of a kind, memorable in many ways, respected and loved by many, but mostly by his family. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Bob is survived by his wife of 37 years, Gail Muriel Reckeweg Hendry, their three children, Katherine Green, Robert Hendry II, and Samantha-Joy Hendry, his son-in-law, Aaron Green, and five grandchildren, Carson Green, Aria Green, Isabella Green, Madelyn Green, and Alex Green. He is also survived by his brother, John Newton Hendry, Jr. of San Diego, California. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ronald W. Hendry, and a daughter, Rebecca Andrea Hendry Sandhoff.

A celebration of Bob’s life and a time of Visitation with family and friends will take place in the chapel of Fellowship Church in White Plains, MD from 10:00 to 12:00 noon on Friday, February 16, 2024. A brief service will be held in the chapel at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Maryland at 1:00 pm.

After the burial ceremony, please join us in the chapel at Fellowship Church in White Plains for a repast provided by Southern Maryland Christian Academy from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. This will be a time to share a meal and stories and memories of Bob Hendry.