Robert Eugene Stoneberger Jr.

Robert “Stoney” Eugene Stoneberger, Jr., 78, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on March 18, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer.

Born August 8, 1947, in Rahway, New Jersey, to Robert E. Stoneberger and Lillian Jeanne (Schroeder). Bob grew up in North Miami, where he attended North Miami Senior High School and graduated in 1966. He was an All-American basketball and football player and spent many afternoons surfing and making lifelong friends at NMSH.

On July 30, 1966, Bob answered the call to serve his country and joined the U.S. Army as a member of the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment. He deployed to Vietnam in 1967, serving as a door gunner on UH-1 “Huey” helicopters, and was awarded the Air Medal for his meritorious achievement. He was promoted to Specialist 5 and then served as a crew chief on the CH-54 “Flying Crane,” guiding pilots through complex and high-risk missions. He survived the 1968 Tet Offensive, a turning point in the Vietnam War that tested the resolve of every soldier who endured it. Bob returned home in 1968, to train fellow soldiers as an aviation maintenance instructor before being honorably discharged in 1969. His courage, leadership, and quiet strength remain part of his lasting legacy.

Family was the cornerstone of his life. He was a loving husband and devoted father who always made time for everyone in his family. He was actively involved in his children’s lives, encouraging their personal growth and fostering independence. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren and sharing with them his love of travel.

He was a proud member of The Rolling Thunder since July 2013, honoring and serving his fellow veterans, actively participating in events, including the Washington, D.C. Ride for Freedom, which brought hundreds of thousands together to raise awareness for POW/MIAs.

Following in his father’s footsteps as a Santa for charity, he proudly carried on the family tradition beginning in 2015. Through many Rolling Thunder events, he brought joy to countless children. Most especially, he cherished his own Santa display, where he welcomed neighborhood children to his yard each year—bringing Santa to life as he listened to their Christmas wishes.

An avid motorcycle rider, he was always planning his next journey, with a deep love for travel and exploration. He was also a talented cook and baker, known for his memorable desserts and his knack for finding the best ice cream in any city.

He will be remembered for these passions and for the countless other qualities that words cannot fully capture. Bob loved deeply, could enchant you with stories of friends and adventure, and could light up any room with his smile and unmistakable laugh. His was a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his beloved mother, Jeanne; his sister, Jamie Loper (Paul) of Hawthorne, FL; his brother, Nicholas (Liz) of Vernon, British Columbia; his stepmother, Jacquie of Hemmingford, Quebec; and his sister-in-law, Ingrid of Jacksonville, FL. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Sr., and his dear brother, Dan.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Robert” Rob” and Daniel “Stone” (Naima) of Gainesville; his daughters, Annie of Pensacola, FL, and Jennifer (Aaron) of Denton, TX; and his grandchildren, Braylon, Cameron, Everleigh, Joaquin, and Zoey. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, and fellow veterans, all of whom mourn his passing.

Crevasse’s Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Stoneberger family.