Robert (Bob) Lee Gard

Robert (Bob) Lee Gard of Bluffton, SC passed away in Bluffton, SC on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Bob was born in Muskogee, OK on September 2,1936 and was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Lee Gard and Elizabeth Annis Hill Gard. He graduated from Muskogee Central High and attended Tulsa University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Geology. In 1958 Bob married his high school sweetheart, Judy Len Richardson who preceded him in death in 2005. They were blessed with two children, Michael Cameron Gard (Nicole) of San Marcos, TX and Matthew Davis Gard of Sioux City, IA, deceased 2009.These marriages gave them three beloved grandchildren, Gunnar Dodge Gard and Anika Rose Gard of San Marcos, TX, and Bobbie Elizabeth Gard of Sioux City, IA.

After graduation, Bob served in the Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant. Bob immediately began his long and distinguished career as a computer programmer with IBM in Wiesbaden, Germany where he worked on a contract with the US Air Force to develop and implement an intelligence data handling system. After four years he returned to the states, continuing his IBM career until his retirement as a Senior Marketing Support Administrator in 1992.

In 2015 Bob was united with Charlotte Wilkinson and they shared their life together in Sun City at Bluffton, SC. In 2017 Charlotte's daughter, Laura, and her husband, Johnathon Crumley, brought Bob another grandchild, Ava Elyse to love and spoil.

Bob was an avid tennis player, a member of the Sun City Tennis Association and active in the game of both singles and doubles until his unexpected death. He was an active member of the BMW Car Club of America. Car shows and auctions were always on his calendar of events to attend. He was happiest in nature and while living in Oklahoma he earned his certification as a Master Naturalist. His study of birds and butterflies led him to keep extensive records of his sightings. As an expert photographer, Bob captured many magnificent shots of these animals and nature’s beauty. He was honored that one of his butterfly photos won First Place with the National American Butterfly Association and was featured in their magazine in 2012.Bob was not one to elaborate on his accomplishments but if someone mentioned the Fifth Grade, a big smile would light up his face and he would say, "Did you know I was the Spelling Champ of the Fifth Grade?” The enjoyment he exuded in his hobbies was as contagious as his endearing smile, charming ways, and generous nature. He lived life in the moment and was guided by these quotations and poem:

"Be Here Now" - Ram Dass

"Savor Life and be generous" - Judy R.Gard

"Desiderata" - poem by Max Ehrmann