Earl Robert “Bob” Gaber, 87, of Homosassa Springs, Fla., passed away Monday, August 18, 2014 in Crystal River, Fla., under the loving care of Hospice of Citrus County and the Nature Coast.

He was born June 8, 1927 in Niagara, Wisc., son of the late Edward and Esther (Ziebarth) Gaber. Bob graduated as Valedictorian from Niagara High School. He served in the United States Coast Guard during WW II. Bob attended Oshkosh State College and transferred to Michigan College of Mining and Technology, graduating with honors as a civil engineer. He also attended the University of Illinois Graduate School and was active in sports during his school and college years.

Bob joined the Bethlehem Steel Co. in 1950 as a Looper. He was employed by Francis Engineering, Saginaw, Mich. where he met and married Maxine Brechtel, R.N. at her home church in Sebewaing, Mich. on April 30, 1955. Bob went to work for R.W. Booker & Associates in St. Louis and then the City of Fond du Lac, Wisc. He moved to Homosassa, Fla. from Fond du Lac, Wisc. in 1984.

Bob was a member of Tau Beta Pi Civil Engineering Honors Fraternity, Chi Epsilon Service Fraternity, Wisconsin Waste Water Association and the American Associate of Civil Engineers, having served as Past President of the Fox Valley, Wisc. Chapter.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Edward Gaber.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Maxine B. Gaber of Bellevue, Wisc.; daughter, Susan (Gerald) Hutchison of De Pere, Wisc., and son, William Gaber of Madison, Wisc.

A private graveside service was held at the Niagara Cemetery.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Bob or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel, to honor Bob’s legacy of life.