Robert John Bongard

Robert "Bob" John Bongard passed away on January 7, 2014 at Methodist West Hospital. He was born on September 26, 1949 in Philadelphia, PA. He was the second of six children. After high school, he moved to Atlantic City and later joined the Marine Corp. After two years of service, he was honorably discharged and moved to San Francisco to attend Golden Gate College. Soon after moving to California, he returned to Philadelphia to be near his family. He followed in the footsteps of the generations of Police and Fireman before him and joined the Philadelphia Police force. He was in the narcotics division and received many awards from the Police Commissioner, Mayor and Director of the FBI. He married Pamela Barker in 1978 and had two children: Robert (1980) and Vanessa (1981). They later divorced in 1988 and Pamela and the children moved to Houston, Texas. Bob retired from the Police Department and moved to Katy, Texas to be closer to his children. He worked with U-Haul and later established his own propane business with his partner and friend Valerie Stephens. Soon after, he picked up the nickname “Propane Bob”.

He was a kind, loving man who always took the time to help others. He loved to fish, play poker and watch sports (Eagles!) When dining out with his brothers and sister, he always picked up the tab because he said he was the oldest and it was his responsibility.

He is survived by his children: Robert Bongard and his wife Sara (Parwez) Bongard, and his daughter Vanessa (Bongard) Gauthier and her husband Scott Gauthier; his grandson Noah Gauthier; and his siblings: William Bongard and his wife Lois (Durso) Bongard, Raymond Bongard and his wife Donna (Forth) Bongard, Thomas Bongard and MaryAnne (Bongard) Sharkey and her husband James Sharkey; and 9 niece and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents William Bongard and Mary (Schiller) Bongard and his brother John Bongard. He will be missed by his family and friends.