Robert "Bobby" Val Erhard

Robert Val Erhard (Bobby) passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018. He was a longtime resident of the Gulf Coast. He was a graduate of Gulfport East High School and received a BS degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism from the University of New Orleans. He is preceded in death by his parents Val and Bertha Erhard. Bobby was cherished by family and friends and was a kind and gentle soul whose love and generosity was as wide and deep as the world oceans. Following his love of sea, he embarked on a course where he served in the U.S. Coast Guard, as a crew boat captain in the Gulf of Mexico oil fields and to Belize where he captained a dive boat. An accomplished photographer, he captured special moments in his photographs of nature, people and places. There were no strangers in his life. Friendships spanned continents and generations. This world was blessed by his presence. Those left to cherish his memory are sisters, Elsie Erhard Tierce, Susie Erhard Towater (Charles); nieces and nephews, Michelle Carroll, Christian Richardson (Bill) and Eric G. Carroll, Jr.; loving great nieces and nephews, Jessica Bock (Jason), Elizabeth Richardson, Joey Carroll; cousins on the Erhard and Taylor sides. He was Uncle Boo to Elena Rose Torman and the family of Martha Huie, her children Jeremy, Jim, Julie and grandchildren, Cassidy, Jeblan and Ayden; the Cordray family of brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and special thanks to Terry and DJ Zeigler for being special neighbors. Bobby loved his family and friends always with unconditional love. In lieu of flowers the family requests small live plants that can be planted as a living memorial to Bobby or memorial donations to The Humane Society of South MS, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. The Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 1:00 p.m.