Robert Gassmann

Opelousas-Memorial Mass for Robert Cyril "Bob" Gassmann, 83, will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 12:00pm at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA. Rev. Msgr. Keith J. DeRouen and Fr. Austin Leger will concelebrate the Mass.

Mr. Gassmann, a resident of Opelousas, died of heart failure at his home on May 1, 2016. He was born in Holy Cross, IA on July 13, 1932. After serving his country in the U.S. Army Reserve Military from 1953 to 1955, he started his career as a hardware salesman specializing in commercial hollow metal doors and frames. This led him to short stays in Iowa, South Carolina and Mississippi before residing in Carencro, LA. Active in the scouting since 1967, he was the Scoutmaster for Troop 143 while in Carencro and was later known to many as "Ranger Bob" at Mountain Bayou Lake Scout Camp from 1984 - 1997. After his retirement, he became a Camp Project Coordinator with the Evangeline Area Council and volunteered much of his time at the Arboretum near Chicot State Park. He served 6 years as Commander for the American Legion Post 45 in Opelousas and was a member for many years. He was a Fourth-degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Most Reverent Jules B. Jeanmard Assembly No. 326 of Opelousas, a member of the Knights of Columbus Queen of Angels Council No. 11270 of Opelousas, and had 57 years of lifetime commitment. Among his other services, he was a volunteer with the American Red Cross as a first aid / CPR instructor and was an active donor through United Blood Services.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Beverly Pitre Gassmann; his two sons, Randy Gassmann of Dallas, TX and David Gassmann of Memphis, TN; three daughters, Julie (Dr. Mike) Harkins of Flora, MS, Carrie Holsted of Maurice, LA and Kimberly (Craig) Vincent of Maurice, LA; three step-children, Jessica Chaisson of Carencro, LA , Todd (Tracey) Lintzen of Bridge City, TX and Allison Lintzen of Natchitoches, LA; along with 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Betty Gotto of Bankston, IA, Gladys Knepper of Dyersville, IA, Mary Agnes (James) Schnier of Bellevue, IA, Connie Lueck of Cuba City, WI, Lyle Gassmann of Dubuque, IA, Kenneth Gassmann of Bullhead City, AZ, Gerald (Orka) Gassmann of Davenport, IA; and many nieces , nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius Gassmann and Leonette (Kleusner) Gassmann; brothers, John Gassmann, Marvin Gassmann and Leroy Gassmann; and his sisters, Sylvia Fitzgerald and Eileen Besler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America - Evangeline Area Council, American Red Cross, United Blood Services, a local Knights of Columbus, or American Legion Post.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

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