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Robert Allan
Gorsett
Jul 24, 1970 — Jun 3, 2026
Thursday
Coastal Community Baptist Church
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Robert "Bob" A. Gorsett, age 55, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on June 3, 2026.
A memorial service celebrating Bob's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Coastal Community Baptist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Bob was born on July 24, 1970, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Eugene and Joanne (Sjodin) Gorsett. Raised in Nebraska and South Dakota, he developed a lifelong love of sports, family, and the friendships that would remain important to him throughout his life. He later earned a degree in Business Management from the University of South Dakota.
Standing tall with a quiet confidence, Bob was hard to miss when he entered a room. He had a natural ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone and a genuine interest in people that made them feel at ease. Whether meeting someone for the first time or reconnecting with an old friend, Bob had a gift for turning conversations into lasting connections.
Professionally, Bob had a gift for sales and business development. His ability to connect with people, inspire teams, and identify opportunities contributed to the growth of multiple companies throughout his career. An entrepreneur at heart, he also enjoyed building businesses of his own and helping others succeed.
One of the most meaningful moments of Bob's faith journey was professing his faith in Jesus Christ and being baptized on April 22, 2012, at Northside Baptist Church, alongside his daughters, Allie and Ashley.
At the center of Bob's life was his family. On October 20, 2001, he married Audra Lynn Carwile in Newport, Rhode Island. 13 short months later, on November 27, 2002, Allie and Ashley were born. He dearly loved Audra and their girls, and considered them God's greatest gifts. Bob often said that Audra was the glue that held their family together. He took great pride in providing for his family and was thankful for the opportunity it gave her to focus on raising their daughters. Together, they built a life centered on love, faith, support, and opportunity.
Bob often said that the moment he met Audra, he thought, "This is going to be trouble." It became one of his favorite stories to tell and remained so throughout their years together. Even in a note he wrote to her in January 2025, he repeated those same words—a reflection of the special place she held in his heart.
Bob's daughters were among his greatest joys and proudest accomplishments. He worked hard to provide opportunities for them, including their education at Wilmington Christian Academy, where they attended for fourteen years. He loved them deeply, took immense pride in the remarkable young women they have become, and delighted in being their dad. When Allie and Ashley were young, he loved teasing them and wouldn't let up until he got a smile. Those lighthearted moments became some of the many memories they shared together.
Bob valued friendship and remained connected to many of the people who shared different seasons of his life. Whether separated by miles or years, he appreciated the relationships he built and enjoyed staying in touch with longtime friends.
Bob was a lifelong sports enthusiast who could happily talk sports for hours with anyone willing to listen. He loved his Nebraska Huskers, was inspired by Michael Jordan, and enjoyed the camaraderie, competition, and stories that sports brought into his life. He also refereed intramural basketball at Northside Baptist Church, where he found joy in teaching skills, encouraging kids, and sharing his love of the game.
Bob had a great sense of humor and a gift for storytelling. He loved telling stories from his time working on the farm and had a way of bringing every detail to life. Friends, family, and coworkers never seemed to tire of his stories, often laughing right along with him as he relived those memories.
Music was a constant companion throughout Bob's life. He especially loved country music and enjoyed singing along to many of the old gospel hymns he discovered through Alan Jackson's gospel recordings. Those songs brought together two things that were important to him—music and faith.
Bob enjoyed grilling and loved bringing people together over good food. His chicken enchiladas became something of a legend among family and friends. Anyone fortunate enough to have enjoyed them knows exactly what we mean—they were simply the best and far surpassed anything that could be found in a restaurant.
Many of Bob's weekends were spent working in the yard, building, repairing, or improving something around the house. He had a knack for figuring out how things worked and seemed able to build just about anything that was needed. Whether it was a practical project or an idea Audra brought to him, he took pride in turning plans into reality.
Bob was a big kid at heart and was always ready for an adventure with his family. Whether it was a day at an amusement park, time spent at the beach, or a drive through the countryside, he found joy in making memories with the people he loved most. He also found joy in life's simple pleasures—walks on the beach, family get-togethers in the neighborhood, and spending time by the pool.
Bob often said that God had blessed him with more than he deserved, a sentiment that reflected his love for his family and appreciation for the many relationships and experiences that enriched his life.
He is survived by his wife, Audra Gorsett; daughters, Allie and Ashley Gorsett, of Wilmington; his father, Eugene (Dian) Gorsett; his sister, Brenda Gorsett; and many beloved extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Joanne Gorsett; his grandparents, Martin and Alice Gorsett and Raymond and Irene Sjodin; his aunt, Marilyn Gorsett; his uncle, Gordon Sjodin; his cousin, John Sjodin; and other beloved family members who welcomed him into eternal rest.
While Bob's accomplishments were many, the legacy he treasured most was his family. The love he gave, the opportunities he provided, the faith he shared, and the memories he created will continue to live on in those who knew and loved him. Most of all, his legacy lives on in his daughters, Allie and Ashley, who are carrying part of their father forward every day.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Miles To Go, Neonatal Kitten Rescue and Rehab.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting the Tribute Wall above.
Quinn McGowen Funeral Home of Wilmington is serving the family.
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