Robert Gummow - 1928 – 2025

About Bob Gummow

Bob Gummow grew up in Rockton, IL on his family’s dairy farm before joining the army at the end of WWII. He was stationed in Germany and following service, he returned to Rockton and married his high school sweetheart Virgina (Ginny) MacDonald (1929 – 2012). The couple built a home on the family farm where they became involved in the family business.

The story of buying their first Porsche in 1959 can be found in Volume 1, Number 2 (December 1974) in which Bob shared some of his 356 wisdom, “…an old Porsche is a lot like a Kleenex! They are okay until you get them wet and then they really go to pieces!” He was able to get the Ruby Red 1959 356A coupe rehabbed in time to receive the Manhattan Award at the 1972 Porsche Parade. Not mentioned in the article is Bob’s recounting that Ferry Porsche shielded his eyes when the rear lid was opened revealing a bit more chrome plating than when it left Zuffenhausen.

Bob was active in the early years of the club, hosting the first Registry Holiday along with him charming wife Ginny in Rockford, IL over the Labor Day weekend in 1975. At this event, he presented Jerry Keyser an award with a spark plug motif. This was later repeated at future events and was named in his honor as the Gummow Spark Plug Award. Recipients are listed in the Service Awards area on the website.

In addition, Bob served as a Registry Trustee from 1976 through 1987. Along with Ginny, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the 356 Registry Hall of Fame in 2001, accompanying founding members Jerry Keyser and Vic Skirmants. The Gummow’s were also the unofficial Registry goodwill ambassadors at the many 356 Euroclub events they attended from 1976.

Bob Gummow passed away on June 20, 2025.

Artists rendering of the Trustees from October 1978

Issue 5-1 October 1978

In January [2012] the club lost one of its original and most charming members, a 356 Registry ambassador extraordinaire and all-around lovely person: Virginia Gummow 1929-2012 .

Issue 36-1 May 2012