Robert Salvatore Danker

Our beloved father, Robert Salvatore Danker, a Vietnam Veteran, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, died on March 16, 2023, at Baptist Hospital with his two loving sons by his side. He was seventy-seven years old. Robert was born in New York, on February 19, 1946, to Livia and Frederick Danker of Buffalo, New York. He had two younger sisters, Pamela and Deborah.

The family moved to Manhattan, New York, and then to Reeders, Pennsylvania, where he lived for many years. He enjoyed his most endearing and memorable times in the mountains of the Poconos. The family also lived in West Orange, New Jersey.

Before the age of ten, he had traveled throughout most of Europe with his father, Frederick Danker, and grandfather, Robert A. Danker.

Robert attended Our Lady of the Valley School in Orange, New Jersey, Mount Saint Joseph Semi-Military Academy in New Windsor, New York, and Columbia University in Manhattan, New York.

He enlisted into the Navy to serve our Country for four years and was assigned as a gunner on a Patrol Boat in Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge.

He married our mother, Theresa, in 1972, and resided in East Hanover, New Jersey, for fifteen years.

He worked for his father, Frederick Danker, at Danker Laboratories Inc. in the optical industry including a Far East trade mission, and to South America and Europe, with the U.S. Department of Commerce. He traveled throughout the world giving lectures to the doctors on fitting contact lenses. He also lectured at hospitals in New York and New Jersey.

His great love for the outdoors included race car driving, hunting, and fishing. He was a member of rifle clubs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and won many awards for trap shooting.

Robert was a wine connoisseur and a broker for rare wines and champagnes. He hosted many wine tasting parties on Amelia Island and collected many award-winning wines.

He was the author of two books, ”The Primitive Blade: Spirit in Steel” and “To Conquer a Mountain”. With his first book he donated all profits to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund due to his deep respect for the American Veteran and love of God and Country. He took part in all Veteran causes on Amelia Island.

Our father was loved by everyone. He was kind and generous and would help anyone who needed help. Our father would state, “The greatest gift you will ever receive is the gratification of giving to someone in need”. He loved his life on Amelia Island and would always say, “It’s another beautiful day on the Island”.

He took great pride in his grandchildren and loved doing things with them.

He always knew how to light up the room. He was full of fun and loved to make you laugh. He enjoyed sitting at the table eating good food and drinking good wine with family and friends.

Robert leaves behind his former wife, Theresa Hendrickson, and her husband, Dale Hendrickson; son, Frederick Danker and Holly Germano; son, Robert Danker, Jr.; sister, Deborah Danker; grandson, Joseph Danker; granddaughter, Bella Danker; granddaughter, Guinevere Danker.

We will miss you, Dad. You will live in our hearts forever. We will never forget how much you loved us.

Interment will be in Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Salvatore Danker, please visit our floral store.