Help Rob and Jeanine Gwinn Save Their Family Home

Rob, Bob and Kathy Gwinn share Christmas in the family home in the late 90's with Rob's son Jonah.

Hi, this is Helen Brown Lenaerts. I’ve known Rob Gwinn since I was a freshman at Lincoln High School back in 1980. Rob was a sophomore then and he and I have been good friends for going on 45 years now. We hung out so often that we could pretty much just walk right on into each others houses without knocking. He knew my parents, and I knew his. Rob’s mom Kathy would always say “Hey there Helen, Rob’s back in his room”. His Dad Bob would grunt hello if he was around.

Rob with his new grandson Dain Ray.

Rob and his wife Jeanine were there to support me in 2000 when my Dad passed away, and again in 2018 when my Mom joined him. Then again when I lost my husband Matt in 2020.

Along with the most important job or raising their son Rob, Kathy Gwinn spent her working years as an office manager for several construction companies. Her work consisted of organizing and running weekly meetings, running payroll an other administrative tasks.

In 2016, Rob & Jeanine were needed at the family home where Rob grew up, to care for Kathy and take over the upkeep of the house, so they moved in and did just that. Kathy suffered from chronic pain from a bone disease coupled with arthritis, leaving her with limited mobility. Other conditions complicated things and eventually she was reliant on oxygen and required almost constant supervision.

Rob and Jeanine considered caring for Robs parents a priority, and did what they needed to do, including foregoing their own medical needs and job opportunities to be there for his folks. He was, after all, their only son and was told by both of them on a number of occasions that he would eventually be left the house so that he and Jeanine could be secure. The four of them relied on each other in this way for several years.

In February of 2022, all four Gwinns got Covid. With Kathy already on oxygen, she became severely ill and her breathing was labored enough for Rob to call an ambulance. Kathy left in the ambulance but would not return home as she passed away of complications from the virus a few days later.

The tragic and unexpected death of his wife, probably was a contributing factor to the stroke Bob would have shortly after. Bob now needed the full time care and Rob and Jeanine had to do odd jobs to make ends meet while tending to his medical care.

Bob was extremely proud of his service to his country. He was a Sargent in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and involved with Special Ops. Unfortunately, with his beloved wife gone, and now disabled himself, Bob Gwinn began to lose interest in living, eventually ending his own life at 80 years old on Veteran’s Day 2024.

As Rob and Jeanine began to cope with the loss of “Pa Gwinn” it was discovered that in June of 2022, in the throws of grief and confusion after loosing Kathy, Bob entered into a reverse mortgage on the house, possibly not fully understanding what that meant for their plans to leave the house to Rob & Jeanine. The house that they all shared that was promised to their son and his wife, is now in danger of being seized by the bank if the reverse mortgage loan is not settled in some way. The timeline they were told this could happen was 90 days.

Rob and Jeanine are entering into their senior years, and have very limited financial ability. There were no other assets left behind. No life insurance, no portfolio, no 401K to fall back on, just the house.

For those of us who have lost both of their parents, we know how empty that feeling is. This fundraiser is meant to help Rob and Jeanine keep the house Rob grew up in by refinancing the bank loan, which will require a healthy down payment and monthly payments. Please send up prayers for the family during this devastating time and I ask that you consider donating to help Rob and Jeanine get that much needed down payment, allowing them to reclaim the house from the bank.

Kathy Gwinn enjoying the outdoors with daughter-in-law Jeanine and grandchildren Jonah and Sarah

We can help the Gwinns keep their family home and gain the stability Rob’s parents meant to provide upon their passing, as well as help fill some of that empty feeling.

Thank you for your kindness and consideration,

Helen Lenaerts