(CINCINNATI) – Bob Gindling is a 94-year-old Army veteran who parachuted while he was in the service. 

Gindling is now a resident of St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville which offers the “Live A Dream” initiative. 

The program gives residents a chance to discuss their “bucket list” wishes and St. Andrews Life Enrichment Director Tiffany Meyer works to make it happen.

“I often ask our residents what is something they’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance to try. Sometimes their dream is a new adventure; other times, it’s revisiting something they once loved,” Meyer told The 812. 

Gindling was recently talking to Meyer and explained how he missed the rush of jumping from a helicopter while he was in the Army. 

“Bob was convinced his age meant it wouldn’t happen,” Meyer recalled. 

Meyer did research and came across iFLY Cincinnati which is an indoor skydiving facility in Liberty Township. 

This past week, Bob and Meyer went to iFLY Cincinnati and became first-time indoor skydivers! 

Bob became the oldest person to ever skydive at the facility as well. 

“Sharing that adventure with him made the experience even more special,” Meyer said. 

Following the skydiving experience, Bob now wants to try a hot air balloon. Tiffany said she will be working on that “Live A Dream” experience for him this spring.

More about Bob:

He was born on the family farm in the St. Nicholas area and graduated from Sunman High School in 1950. Bob was actually a cheerleader in high school as well. 

He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 and celebrated his 21st birthday while on a ship over to Germany. 

Gindling lived in Sunman for many years and worked several different careers including being the manager at the Batesville bowling alley, Harrison bowling Alley, worked at Fernald, and sold cars for Chris Volz and Bernie Fields.

His last job was a clerk at the Sunman IGA and he did that until age 88!

He also served as choir director at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and others may know him for his convertible cars that often appeared in local parades.

Bob is a past commander of the Sunman American Legion and remains active with the Post to this day.

He moved into St. Andrews about five years ago and loves it there!