Robert (Bob) Walter Ladensack Jr., passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, October 19th, 2017 in Nashville, TN, due to complications that arose during emergency heart surgery. He was 67.

Bob is survived by his children, Cherie Lynn Lening (daughter) and spouse Annette Lening, Stephen Michael Ladensack (son) and spouse Paula Bergon, Catherine Suzanne Ladensack (daughter), Amy Ann Ridings (daughter), and Armando Contreras (son-in-law), his 6 grandchildren, Cecilia, Lee, Diego, Katerina, Veronica, and Chelci.

Bob is also survived by his nieces Kimberly Lorenzo, Stacy Smith Javier, Jiana Cope, Heather Colon, Robin Colon, Rachael Ladensack, and by his nephews Robert Smith and J.P. Ladensack Jr, as well as their children.

Bob would also have us mention his sisters-in-law, Leslie Colon, Katherine Beaver, Kathy Cope, and brother-in-law, James Cope as he loved them all, and has he lovingly and jokingly said, tolerated Leslie.

He is preceded in death by both his parents and his older siblings, Mary Heckman, Elizabeth Ladensack, and John Ladensack, and by his beloved wife and best friend of 36 years, Deborah Ann Cope.

Bob was born in Long Beach CA on January 4th, 1950 to Robert Walter Ladensack Sr. and Doris Rita Coleman. He graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach, CA.

Bob loved children (babies the most) and his smile and charm could make any child smile. Any baby would fall asleep in his gentle arms if he held them. Above all though, he loved his family.

Bob’s passions included surfing, dancing, music, and adventuring in the great outdoors. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, completing 2 tours in Vietnam as a communications specialist climbing poles to lay telephone wire. He then joined the Marine Corp Reserve, and later the Army Reserve as a tank driver where he helped fight fires in the state of Georgia. He also worked for the department of defense as a civilian employee where he was a missile mechanic and ordinance technician.

Bob had a long battle with muscular dystrophy and diabetes, but he never considered himself with a disability. He only had an inability to do things the same way others did. He quickly adopted the motto “adapt and overcome” and that is what he did every day of his life.

He knew how to make the ordinary things seem magical and made you feel special whenever you were in his presence. He cherished the little things and everything that he collected and owned had a story behind it.

A funeral was held Saturday, October 28th, 2017 at the LDS church in Madison, TN.
107 Twin Hills Dr, Madison, TN 37115.

Burial with military honors was held at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens Cemetery:
353 E Main St, Hendersonville, TN 37075

If you have any memories of Bob, please post a comment below