Bob Gast, World War II veteran and longtime Rotarian, is turning 100 on Monday, March 28. The Warsaw Rotary Club celebrated the occasion during a March 25 meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A World War II veteran, former city councilman, Warsaw resident, and longtime Rotarian is celebrating his 100th birthday on Monday, March 28.

Bob Gast’s upcoming birthday was celebrated during the Warsaw Rotary Club’s March 25 meeting.

The soon-to-be centenarian was presented with several medals in October 2016, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

In the fall of 1944, Gast, a second lieutenant, led his platoon into battle during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in Germany. On Nov, 12, 1944, he was shot in the arm, earning him the Silver Star. He returned to battle in 1945.

Gast has also been a part of Warsaw’s Rotary Club for over 50 years.

During the meeting, Rotarians presented Gast with cake and several gifts, including a framed newspaper article highlighting 1922, the year Gast was born.

Celebrities such as Betty White, Judy Garland, Bea Arthur, and Stan Lee were born the same year as Gast. In 1922, gas cost 55 cents per gallon.

At the “Happy Dollars” part of the meeting, in which Rotarians offer money to celebrate positive moments in their personal and professional lives, Gast donated $100. Money raised from “Happy Dollars” goes to charitable organizations.

“At one time, they used to ask whose birthday it was (during Rotary meetings),” said Gast. “If you held up your hand, they’d say, ‘Pay for how many years old you are.’ And I’m 100.”

The Warsaw Rotary Club matched an additional $300 to Gast’s donation.

Rotary Club President Seth Bradford and Rotary Member Woody Zimmerman gave Gast several “100-year”-themed gifts, including a box of 100 tissues, a 100-piece puzzle, 100 pieces of candy and a box of 100 dog treats for Gast’s dog, Bobbie.

“The last pandemic started in 1918, ended in about 1922,” said Zimmerman. “You’re the only guy in the room to live through two pandemics.”

Salvation Army Envoy and Longtime Rotarian Ken Locke shared a story about Gast and his wife, Marge, who both used to frequently volunteer at the Salvation Army.

“Bob and Marge had their own love language,” said Locke. “You would think they were arguing, but they were just communicating. Bob is one of my heroes and he’s a great man.”