Robert Lawrence Gaskins

LTC. Robert Lawrence Gaskins, 61, of Clinton, MD passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 11:33am. He went to be with his heavenly Father, who called him home. Well done my son, well done indeed, Robert was a retired Lt. Col. for the United States Army who loved to cook, enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, absolutely loved Jazz, fishing and gardening. Many of you may recall Robert’s love of gardening. He enjoyed sharing his bounty with many of his family and friends. He also enjoyed scuba diving ever since he became SCUBA certified in 1990, and always on the lookout for that ever elusive Sea Turtle. He adored his two amazing dogs, Zeus and Blackjack, and they in turn loved him unconditionally. There were many wonderful aspects to Robert’s life, and many ways that he touched all our lives. He will be remembered as a wonderful brother, a loving husband, a great father, a generous uncle and cousin, and a good friend. Robert attended Hampton Institute, where he pledged as a lifelong brother of the Pershing Rifles Fraternity, and later graduated from the University of Maryland University College. He was part of the ROTC program at Hampton Institute and entered into the Army National Guard as a 2nd Lieutenant, moving up the ranks as a commissioned officer and finishing his career as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves, completing 28 breathtaking years of service to the United States of America. His one very important wish is to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, alongside his mother, and brother Alonzo. (Thank you for your Service… Amen?) Robert worked at TRACOR Systems Engineering formerly Vitro Corporation, in Rockville, MD 1983 to Dec 1997 as a Systems Integrator. He then moved to Orbital Sciences Corporation in Greenbelt, MD from 1997 to 2002 as Senior Software Engineer: Test Engineer for Hubble Space Telescope, of which he was very proud. In 2007 thru 2013 he worked for SAIC/Leidos in Springfield, McLean, & Alexandria VA as an Airborne ISR Senior Software Engineer/Integrator. He finished career at CSRA, in Washington DC in 2017 in CyberSecurity, in which his Team just recently won the Frank B. Rowlett Award for Organizational Excellence, a prestigious award from NSA. Along the way Robert made many friends, some of which maybe here today to honor him, because he was that kind of guy. Robert was also a VPR A1C Champion – Motivational/Public Speaker since Jun 2012. As an A1C Champion, he traveled around the country and gave a one hour presentation on "Taking Control" of diabetes. He talked about how they could take control of their diabetes. He always left them feeling a self-confidence that they too could control their diabetes. A cause that was near and dear to his heart. Robert was the beloved son of the late Mary (Paige) Gaskins, Frank Gaskins, and brother Alonzo Gaskins. He met and married his loving wife, Melissa (Davis) Gaskins, and had two loving sons, Matthew E., and Justin L. Gaskins. He also leaves behind his loving Sister Ethel Weaver, and her husband Eugene Weaver, a doting brother, Clarence Gaskins, his mother in law Norma E. Davis, his niece LaTonya Knight, her husband Michael Knight, and their children Tatiana, Michala and Jonathan Knight. A nephew, Christopher P. Weaver, and his family Jennifer, Addison, and Cameron Weaver. Robert also leaves behind a host of beloved relatives, Frat Brothers, and friends. In addition, he leaves his very best friend Donald & his wife Donna Bullock, Carl & his wife Pamela Taylor, and his very good friend Les Olson. The gift of Robert’s life is still here with us, and he lives on in our memories and stories. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert Lawrence Gaskins please visit our Sympathy Store.