Robert "Bob" Gentile

Robert “Bob” Lawrence Gentile was born on February 3, 1965 to Larry and Diane Gentile in Los Angeles.  Bob grew up in Inglewood, California, graduating from Loyola High School and California State University, Long Beach.  He began his career at State Farm Insurance before becoming a stay at home Dad to his children Andrew and Samantha.  In 2011, Bob moved to Denver to join with the love of his life, Miriam.  In Colorado, Bob found not only his football team (The Broncos) but his calling to serve others, attending PIMA Medical Institute to become a Respiratory Therapist.

Bob’s calling to serve initiated his 8-year career at the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, working as an RT primarily in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Bob served hundreds of patients and families showing great compassion while still making folks smile and laugh. Throughout his career Bob also shared a great deal of sadness and frustration with the work family that he cherished deeply.

Colorado offered Bob the opportunity to explore his “wild” side.  His love of camping manifested into a joy for four-wheeling in the mountains with family and friends.  After selling his motorcycle, he purchased a Jeep and spent many hours riding the trails of Colorado.  After four-wheeling, Bob and Miriam enjoyed exploring local breweries and tasting whisky that is Colorado-made.  His favorite is Colorado Honey Whiskey.

Handyman skills were one of his strengths, as Bob was quick to point out to all.  After over one year of remodeling hell, Bob and Miriam’s transformation of their main floor was completed just before his death.  He was great at building the tools to support the life he wanted and the home, work, friends and energy that encompassed a very full existence.  He was an example to the next generation of being fearless, opinionated and willing to sacrifice to find joy.  He was happy to play the wise old uncle and be both a sounding board and a shoulder to cry on for everyone in his life.

A true renaissance man, Bob was a movie buff, an avid reader, a lover of theater, and an aspiring photographer.  His mind was a steel trap that captured both useful information and the most random of trivia (except when it came to high school Spanish).  He was competitive and his love for debate often came up in discussions of his impressive collection of vinyl records that span from gospel to classic rock and R&B to jazz.

Bob’s faith was transformed while standing in the Vatican in Rome, viewing Michelangelo’s Pieta.  He and Miriam stood in awe of its beauty and the sacrifice represented, inviting God to be among and between them in their love and marriage.  Bob tried to live as authentically as possible but found his favorite spiritual activity was to just sit and talk with God.  He would lean in, grab hold and trust God to lead him to solutions and through challenges.  It was just that faith that had prayer warriors the world over supporting Miriam and praying for Bob’s healing.  While Bob’s laughter lives on in our hearts, his presence in our lives will be greatly missed.

Liturgy of the Word followed by a Reception will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2021 beginning at 10am at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014.

For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available. To join please visit: https://bxcited.com/robert-bob-gentile/

Please share memories of Bob and condolences with his family by signing the Tribute Wall above.