Robert O. Gwyn

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Robert O. Gwyn, age 92, of Indianapolis, died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Friends Fellowship Community in Richmond, Indiana. Bob was born July 6, 1922, in Oden, Indiana, to Russell and Hilda Baughman Gwyn. Bob’s father was a Disciples of Christ Minster who died in 1934, when Bob was 12 years old. He grew up with an interest and talent in both music and photography. Bob played saxophone and clarinet and was writing arrangements for dance bands by his senior year of high school in 1940. He was a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music from Butler University. Bob served in the United States Army during WWII and led the Camp Lee Virginia Dance Band. He married Crystal June Floyd Gwyn, who was also a musician on February 17, 1944. Bob began teaching music theory and instrumental music at Tech High School in 1947. In 1950, at the age of 28, his hearing began to fail which led him to move into guidance counseling at Tech High School. He later served as Dean of Boys and Vice Principal of Arlington High School during the 1960’s. In 1977, at the age of 55, his hearing had further declined and he chose to take early retirement from public schools. Bob began a second career in professional photography with his wife, June, continuing until he retired in 1977 at the age of 70. He and June had been choir director and soprano soloist at the First Friends Meeting in Indianapolis beginning in the late 1940’s. In 1990, they joined the East 19th Street Christian Church in Indianapolis. In 2005, Bob and June moved to Friends Fellowship Community in Richmond and they joined the First Friends Meeting where their son, Doug, was pastoral minister. Bob and June lived at Friends Fellowship Community beginning in 2005. He was very fond of I Corinthians 13, particularly verse 8. The words “Love Never Fails” were a key theme in Bob’s life. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, June Gwyn; two sons, Michael Gwyn of South Carolina and Douglas (Caroline Jones) Gwyn of Maine; two grandchildren, Steven Gwyn and Emily George; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Richard Gwyn of California. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Marilyn Gwyn. A memorial service for Robert O. Gwyn will be held on Sunday April 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Blvd., Richmond, Indiana. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Robert O. Gwyn

July 6, 1922 - March 8, 2015