ROBERT PODOLSKY

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ROBERT PODOLSKY

Robert 'Bob' Podolsky, the eldest son of Michael John and Nettie Podolsky (nee Nenka) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was born April 22, 1939, in Woodridge, Manitoba, Canada, and died in Jackson, California on April 12, 2023. Bob was 10 days short of his 84th birthday. Bob was a good husband, father, and teacher. He was a lifelong learner and constant tinkerer. He was predeceased by his father Michael (1988), his mother Nettie (2008), and his infant sister Margaret Rose.
Bob married his wife Mariette Stella (nee Dorge) on July 4, 1959. In 1962, against the advice of his family, he joined the US Army. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Bob was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany with the VII Army Corps. During his leave, Bob would travel through Germany and elsewhere and had fond memories of Europe. At the end of his service, Bob was honorably discharged and awarded the Army Commendation Medal. When he returned to Winnipeg, he moved the family to Texas. Forever curious and restless, he soon moved the family onward to California where he was to spend nearly the rest of his life.
From his early days as a cash register repairman, Bob put himself through night school to learn electronics in the early 70s. As he taught himself more skills, he worked for many years as a fabricator, machinist, and mechanic in the manufacturing industry at Clorox and RR Donnelley & Sons later in his life. There wasn't anything he couldn't build or fix.
In 1976, Bob and his family settled down after buying 10 acres in Northern California. He proceeded to build a house for his family virtually by himself and with self-taught skills at a level of perfection fitting his personality. He would go on to build two more houses by himself over the next 30 years. He passed on his many skills and strong work ethic to his two sons. Bob's hobbies included raising pheasants and quail, vegetable gardening and growing fuchsias, building computers, and endless enjoyment from his dogs. His quick wit and dry humor will be missed by his friends and family.
Survived by his wife of 64 years, Mariette, his two sons, MSgt Douglas Podolsky (NVANG, Ret.) and Dean (Lori), his brothers Bill (Margaret) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Richard (Beverley) of Parksville, British Columbia, and Dennis (Andree) of Agassiz, British Columbia.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 24, 2023