Robert Patrick Gandil was born on June 3, 1943, in Annapolis, MD, to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Rechner. He lived in the Bronx until he was 13 years old when his family moved to Hackensack. His home of record is Hackensack, NJ. He graduated from Hackensack High School in 1961. He enjoyed trains, electronics, the clarinet, cars and loved peanut butter, dill pickles and cheese pizza. He was a driver for the Hackensack Post Office for four years.
Robert married Karen Polk. They resided in Hasbrouck Heights until he left for Vietnam. They had no children.
He entered the US Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). On December 18, 1966 in Danang, Vietnam, he was mortally wounded from a single bullet to the head while searching for the body of a downed comrade with others from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
Gandil received the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his parents, Matthew and Margaret Rechner, his siblings, Eileen M. Heinen (nee Gandil), Alice Rechner, Victoria E. Rechner, Richard Rechner, Kristina Gandil and Lars V. Gandil and his wife, Karen.
Sources: Eileen Heinen (sister) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
