Robert John Dannhardt (a.k.a. Bob or Doo Doo) went home to the Lord on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. He will be reunited with his parents, John Dannhardt and Lucy Brings Dannhardt. Robert was an only child born in Franklin, New Jersey and was a lifelong resident of Sussex County. Bob married the love of his life, Nancy Strait, in 1960, and 3 years later welcomed their son Jeff followed by their daughter Jennifer in 1971. Bob and Nancy moved to Andover in 1971. They split their time between their Andover family home and their winter home in Sun City, Bluffton, South Carolina.
Bob was an excellent athlete and loved all sports. He had a passion for baseball and was part of the fledgling Sussex County Little League, which his family helped establish. In high school he was a 3-sport varsity athlete. As an adult he enjoyed golf, skiing, and boating.
He attended the Teterboro School of Aeronautics to follow his love of mechanical things which lead him to the aviation industry. He began flying airplanes while working as a mechanic and the assistant airport manager at Andover Aeroflex Airport. Bob’s enthusiasm for flight, and second-to-none work ethic, lead him to pursue additional opportunities in the aviation industry. Graduating from props to jets, Bob flew for National Distillers for many years elevating himself to chief pilot. His second true love was the Gulfstream Corporate Aircraft. As he moved to different organizations, he always flew the newest and latest Gulfstreams. He ended his flying career as the Chief Pilot for AT&T. Upon retirement, he was presented the honor and recognized for 50 years of flying Gulfstreams with no incidents, a feat he was both “humbled by” and extremely proud of. A friend in the industry recently referred to Bob as an “icon” in the industry.
Bob was an avid skier and golfer. As a member of Newton County Club for 61 years, he was club president in 2010 and won several different club titles over the years. When the grass wasn’t green, he could be found on the slopes of Mountain Creek locally and had many fun-filled ski trips with his son and friends throughout the west.
During retirement, he was a simulator flight instructor at CAE in East Hanover; spent time with Nancy at their second home in Bluffton, SC as well as vacationing at their timeshares. He truly enjoyed his four grandchildren: Corey Dannhardt, Kayla Kober, Kamryn Zanella and Drew Zanella as well as recent great-grandchildren Thomas and Everleigh Kober. He loved these kids with all his heart, and they were by his side in his last days. His influence will undoubtedly contribute to their success in life making sure they all know to “Tell them who you are!”
Bob is survived by his bride of 64 years, Nancy. His children- son, Jeff and wife Kim Dannhardt, daughter, Jennifer Zanella, granddaughters Kayla Kober and husband Tommy (with children Tommy and Everleigh) and Kamryn Zanella, and grandsons Corey Dannhardt and Drew Zanella. Bob will also be remembered by his many friends at Newton Country Club and in the aviation community.
The Celebration of Life for Robert is on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Smith-McCracken, 63 High Street, Newton, New Jersey. The visitation will be from 12pm-2pm and the memorial service from 2pm-3pm. Following the service, you are invited to the Newton Country Club at 25 Club Road, Newton, New Jersey for refreshments.
In lieu of flowers please make any donations in Bob’s name to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
