Robert Guckenbiehl

You, Robert Allen Guckenbiehl (Rob, Robbie, Big Bob, Buffalo), 70 years young, died peacefully at the Addeo Hospice Residence in Staten Island, NY on May 9, 2023 where your heart failed, a heart that loved and reached out to so many. You were born to Ruth and Richard in Brooklyn, NY, growing up on 89th Street and going “up the country” to enjoy happy adventures at your grandparents’ place, Elizabeth and Otto Guckenbiehl, in Putnam Valley, NY. You got your GED and worked in a variety of jobs over the years including roofer and construction worker, truck driver for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), and were especially proud of the work you did with your Pop and twin brother on your twin’s home.

You struggled with addiction in your teens and early twenties until, as you said, “Jesus saved me.” You felt that God had snatched you from the fire and you wanted to share this newfound faith with everyone. From that point on you testified at every opportunity to the love of Jesus, digging into the Bible, giving scripture verses in both encouragement as well as challenge, passing out tracks, and street preaching. Sometimes sadly, like the prophets of Hebrew scripture, your outspoken manner caused others to turn away from you, an approach that remained though softened with age and experience. You did not want anyone to be lost without hope as you had once been. You wanted all to know the amazing love of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and you would invite those reading this letter, letter writing was also important to you, to reach out and seek Jesus with their whole hearts. And you loved to sing to God, classic hymns and gospel, in that booming baritone, singing on the eve of your death and now singing in glory.

You were an athlete and sportsman, deep-sea fisherman, a ballplayer growing up, and a footballer “coming at ya real fast.” You loved to have fun, like the epic snow ball fight you and your fellow workers engaged in on the WSJ job at the Princeton NJ printing plant (Oh boy, the boss was mad). You loved golf with your brothers and your dad. A dad you loved to tell about as he rolled down the hill every time he got a birdie. You also were a reckoning force in the A –league tournament on the handball courts of Brooklyn and Coney Island as well as a story-teller and a giver of bear hugs.

As the hospice chaplain who served you at the end of your life so aptly expressed, “You lived for service, service to Christ and his people.” You served countless elderly folks with home and garden repair; you reached out to people on the street, offering a meal and a listening ear; you went with humanitarian care and the love of God to help and were touched deeply by the people of Haiti. You came alongside many who grieved or suffered and comforted them. Later in life, you experienced poor health yourself, spending a season in Tennessee with loving people while recovering from surgery with two dogs and a guard cat. You cared for your grandmother and father at the end of their lives and gratefully, when yours was concluding, received excellent care from in-home nurses and later the Addeo House staff. You will be missed by those who survive you, Brother Wayne Guckenbiehl (Terry), Brother and twin Randy Guckenbiehl (predeceased dear Theresa), Niece Elizabeth Guckenbiehl-Lang (Joseph), and Nephew John Guckenbiehl, as well as great nieces, extended family, and many friends near and far. Thank you, Uncle Bob, for the example you were to me in my life, honest about where you fell short and endeavoring to live in all the important ways – loving God and loving others. May your memory be honored in this way by those who loved and knew you. As was said of you at the end, “You had a huge impact and your beautiful soul will not be forgotten.” God bless and rest in peace!

All my love,

Your niece,

Elizabeth

Condolences may be sent c/o Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310 or at www.harmonfuneralhome.net

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to:

Addeo House

University Hospice

78 Meisner Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10306

Robert Guckenbiehl, age 70, of Staten Island, New York passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

A graveside service for Robert will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Hillside Cemetery, 1033 Oregon Rd, Cortlandt, NY 10567.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.harmonfuneralhome.net for the Guckenbiehl family.