Florida 4-H Hall Of Fame Member Francis Robert Gindl, Sr. Passes Away

January 30, 2018

Florida 4-H Hall of Fame member Francis Robert Gindl, Sr. passed away Saturday. He was 89.

Gindl was passionate about 4-H and very active about supporting his children and hundreds of other children with their 4-H activities.

Gindl joined the 4-H Corn Club in 1939, but he soon found that 4-H had much more to offer. He was the first 4-H member in his club to raise more than 100 bushels of corn per acre. He participated in public speaking, beef, swine, poultry, and tractor maintenance projects. He also joined a state 4-H livestock judging team.

He became a volunteer leader with the Barrineau Park 4-H club, which is the longest operating 4-H club in the state of Florida. The club’s projects included consumer judging, tractor maintenance, livestock, and public speaking. His club participated in Florida 4-H Legislature, Florida 4-H Congress, the Pensacola Interstate Fair, and community service projects. His club was the first one to be integrated with both boys and girls in 1965 and then racially in 1972.

“Being part of Barrineau Park 4-H is a true honor” Dillon Conti , the 2016-2017 president of Barrineau Park 4-H Club said. “Mr Francis Gindl did so much for our club, we are very lucky that this rich history is preserved at Barrineau Park Historical Society in the museum for my generation and generations to come to see how much this man gave to Barrineau Park 4-H Club”.

He shared many of his skills with youth and adults in 4-H. He taught the state 4-H record book workshop for extension agents at the University of Florida and obtained community service grants for 4-H projects. He hosted an exchange student from Brazil with the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program.

When inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame 2n 2002, Gindl said his decades as a 4-H member and volunteer helped him become a people person, improve his speaking ability and raising his confidence.

Gindl served on the Langley Bell 4-H Center Board of Trustees. The impact Gindl made on Escambia County 4-H is still felt today in livestock, public speaking and community service project areas.  He was recognized with the State 4-H Alumni award in 1964 and was selected as the 4-H volunteer leader of the year in 1976.

He also spent 39 years working at Monsanto, and was a charter member of the Barrineau Park Historical Society.

Gindl was a 1946 graduate of J.M. Tate High School where he was voted the most handsome in the senior class. While he attended high school, he was employed by the system to drive a school bus because there was a driver shortage due to WWII. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba during the Korean War.

Gindl is survived by his wife, Pauline Summerlin Gindl; daughters, Linda (Andrew) Veren of Fairhope and Amy (Marc) Thibodeau, of Danville, VA; daughter in law, Tena Mann Gindl, Cantonment; sisters, Mildred Anderson, Pensacola and Mary Ann Prembroke of Bennington, VT; and a large number of other family members.

Visitation will be at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment on Tuesday, January 30 from 5:00 to 7:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 31. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

To read the complete obituary, click here.

Comments

7 Responses to “Florida 4-H Hall Of Fame Member Francis Robert Gindl, Sr. Passes Away”

  1. Linda Gindl Veren on February 3rd, 2018 11:34 am

    Thank you for the kind words for Dad. There was not a sweeter, kinder man anywhere. He truly loved working with kids in 4-H and in the Tate High School Band. He will missed by his family and friends, but will remain forever in our hearts.

  2. David Lamb on January 30th, 2018 10:42 pm

    Mr Gindl was a true friend to traditional 4H. The whole Gindl family was very supportiv of 4H activities. His support will be truly missed.,

  3. BONNIE EXNER on January 30th, 2018 9:41 pm

    Look at all the lives you have touched here on earth because of your charity,compassion, kindness and willingness to be a leader in your COMMUNITY…these are values that were taught at home and exercise throughout you lifetime..REST IN PEACE,FRANCIS GINDL,YOU CERTAINLY EARNED IT!

  4. Charlie on January 30th, 2018 8:48 pm

    Mr Gindi taught me how to be a better Tate Band Booster, to love young people and work with them in school and at home. Mr. Gindi was loved by all. Rest in peace. Our
    prayers for the family. Escambia county and the state of Florida has lost real Gentleman.
    Charlie Dillard
    Operations Manager
    Faith Chapel Funeral Home

  5. Kim on January 30th, 2018 7:58 am

    Rest in peace Mr. Gindl.You had such a huge impact on so many young people, not only in the 4-H Club but our entire Barrineau Park community. Thank you for your service and may the good Lord be with your entire family.

  6. tg on January 30th, 2018 6:37 am

    A honorable bigger than life man.

  7. Cheryl on January 30th, 2018 5:53 am

    Mr. Gindl was also a beloved Tate Band dad. I have many fond memories of he and Mrs. Gindl. May God Bless the family with peace.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, Obituaries