Welcome to Robert's Beloved Hearts Memorial
Robert's Beloved Hearts Memorial
Memories of Robert
* Ski and I were married over 34 years ago. I knew that we had something special but I never knew how special. He took on a wife with an instant family and never once complained or made them feel unwanted. He gave so much of himself to others. People always say they married their soul mate but in our case I know we were meant for each other. He was loving, kind, generous, and funny. He was a giant of a man with a heart of gold. He truly loved family and people and his cats! In March we had our anniversary and he told me he had always felt our marriage was made in Camelot and that we were meant to be together. I know he was right. The hole in my heart will never heal. Honey, we miss you! Janet, loving wife
* Dad was a guy that would always look for and take on a cause that would help someone anonymously. Other times, I would hear stories of him cooking something and dropping it off for folks that were tied up at work or sometimes just because. He generally looked after people and pets that were less fortunate. Those are real seeds that will sprout and inspire others to do the same when they in turn have the opportunity and the means to do so. And from my own experience, he became the father to us when we didn't have one. He was a self-proclaimed dog guy but we knew he was a closet cat guy. He eventually came out of the closet with the cat thing, LOL. He taught us kids a lot of things. He taught us that barbecue grills can still function in 0 degree, six feet of snow weather. He taught us how a husband should always look for ways to serve and surprise his wife. He taught us about life. And that is the greatest prep a kid could ask for. Oh, and he cooked a mean pot of chili. Love ya, David
* It takes a strong man to be a father. An even stronger man to marry a woman who had three kids of her own and raise them as his own! Anytime I needed you, you were there. From picking out a formal gown while Mom was stationed in Korea to being there while I rushed the baby to the ER when he cut his eye. Every Sunday I would call you on my way to work just to chat. You always understood me, knew how I was feeling even though no one else did. I cannot believe you are gone. I still wake up and there is a darkness within me. A sadness. I have loved you all my life and will continue to love you the rest of my life. "I will see you again, This is not how it ends, I will carry you with me, Till I see you again." Your loving daughter, Linda
* When I was in nursing school, Bob was almost 17. I was surprised to learn that he had gotten our parents to sign a release for him to enlist in the U.S. Marines. Shortly after that, we heard from Bob that he was being deployed to Vietnam. Our family was worried for him the whole time he was there. After three combat tours, he left the Marines and came home to Chicago. I was surprised when he enlisted again, this time in the U.S. Air Force. It wasn't until sometime years later that I realized what a patriot he was and his love for our country. Bob and Jim Hunt, my first husband, became good friends while we all lived in Chicago. Jim was an only child and Bob was like the brother he never had and Bob was a great admirer of Jim's photography work. Bob also liked to surprise Jim and wrestle him to the ground. Poor Jim..could never outdo Bob's wrestling abilities! Barbara and Neal Rose
* Ski was a wonderful, loving person. His heart did not give out, he used it up. We will miss him immensely. But we have so many funny and happy memories. Love, Stan and Sula McCurdy
* I will miss my friend and cousin Bobby tremendously. He was always there, whether a shoulder to cry on or just to talk with. We had a closeness in our hearts that no one could understand. We could talk for hours about anything. I will always remember the laughs we shared. I miss you Bobby. Love, Patti Groberski Janata
* When I think of Ski two things come to mind-warmth and kindness. I can still see this gentle giant who loved cats sitting on my sofa, my two little dogs like putty in his hands. Button and Sugar adored him and I'm sure they were waiting to greet him when he arrived in heaven-well and at peace. With much love, Susan Polk
* Bob was 12 years older than me. In early years of my life, I remember him to be a typical teenager who teamed up with our oldest brother Jim to form an obnoxious duo with not one ounce of common sense between the two of them. Yet he joined the Marines at age 17 to fight in the Vietnam War...three times. I remember my mother breaking down and sobbing every time she received a letter from him. It was bittersweet for her. She knew he was alive up to the point of writing the letter but was uncertain of his safety until the next letter arrived. Finally Bob returned safely to his family. His neighborhood friend Billy did not. At Billy's visitation, his mother was so distraught, her pain so deep, she was trying to make sense of it all. In her despair, she blamed Bob for not helping Billy. Bob realized that she was taking her grief out on him. He stood there in his Marine dress blues and, as if at attention, allowed her to release her sorrow on him. It was evident in the mature and respectful way Bob handled the situation...my then 19 year old brother had returned to us a man. Bob left his home in Chicago to move on with his life. It wasn't until he married Janet that we really started to connect. It was because of Janet viewing our brother Mark and me as young adults that Bob began to see us in the same light. I was very fortunate to have my brother Bob in my life. Not everyone can say that they not only love but truly like their family members. I can honestly say this. He was kind, generous, compassionate, and had a great sense of humor. We playfully gave each other a hard time about our differences (like guns), supported each other in the sad times, and enjoyed talking about things that mattered to us. My heart will always treasure him. I was truly blessed to have him in my life. Mary Lou Groberski
* My hero is my dad. They say there is a special bond between a father and a daughter. My dad was my hero because he was such an amazing fighter in life. He showed so much courage against all odds but never quit. We should all learn something from his passing. For me it was to NEVER give up because adversity makes us stronger. To fight the battles he did for years and keep smiling well that takes an amazing human being. That's why my dad is my hero. Cassandra Groberski Davis
* Uncle Bobby was not only my mom's brother, he was also my godfather. I was the first kid in that immediate family, and he gave me his purple heart when I was a baby. I've seen pictures of me wearing it as a baby (until my parents gave it back to him). From time to time, I remember seeing him at my grandma's apartment in Chicago (my mom threw her bag of groceries at him after he pinched her, and he just laughed). But it wasn't until he and his wife, Janet, and their daughter, Linda, drove through Minnesota on their way to Alaska and left their cat, Sam, there temporarily, that I knew him better as an adult. I looked after Sam, and when I took her to the airport to send her up to them, Uncle Bobby was very concerned about her welfare, which I found ironic since he had been rather disdainful of the cats we'd had in Chicago! He always said, "Is this the person to whom I'm speaking?" when he called on the phone, and although we had differing political views, he was always respectful and never made fun.

Survived by:

Loving Wife Janet Groberski, Daughter Cassandra, Son David, Son Vinnie, Daughter Linda, Sister Barbara, Sister Mary Lou, Brother Mark, and seventeen beautiful grandchildren, and two great grandsons.

 


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