Robert John Pawlowski of Shelbyville died from complications of a stroke. He was 91 years old, just two weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.
Bob was born to East European immigrants Pitor and Maryana Pawlowski in South Bend, Indiana on March 24, 1931. He was the youngest of seven children. After meeting his future wife, the previous summer, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1949 and served as an air crewman and bombardier in Norfolk, Va., honorably discharged in February 1953.
He married Joyce Ann Savely of Niles on Oct. 30, 1953. He attended Valparaiso Technical Institute and graduated in 1956 with an associate degree in electronic engineering. Bob worked for Electro Voice in Buchanan, and designed speaker systems among other products.
In 1963, with five children in tow, Bob relocated his growing family to Allegan, where, in his spare time, he became a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for local troops. The Pawlowski house on Cora Street became a way station for the neighborhood kids who wanted to play.
Bob purchased a farm in 1968 near Watson Corners, located several miles outside of Allegan. He welcomed his sixth and final child, a daughter. After several small business attempts, he co-owned a small sheet metal manufacturing business, Impert Industries, in Otsego. He continued to be involved in scouting and attended his children’s sports events, band concerts, and various school functions.
Bob was semi-actively running his business until his mid-eighties. By that time, he and Joyce had relocated again to a home a few miles west of Gun Lake, where they settled in for several years. He seemed to take things in stride, including two strokes.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce Ann Pawlowski; and five of his six children: Robert S. Pawlowski of Watson Corners, Stephen Pawlowski of Fort Wayne, Ind., Timothy Pawlowski, of West Olive, Matthew Pawlowski of St. Paul, Minn., and Rebecca (Pawlowski) Uzarski of Remus.
Daughter Laurie Pawlowski of Grand Rapids died in 2014. Bob also was preceded in death by his parents and his six siblings.
Bob is also survived by his son-in-law, Donald Uzarski of Remus; and his grandchildren, Donald Robert Uzarski of Bellaire, and Lindsay Uzarski of Mount Pleasant. He is survived by many, many nieces, nephews, relations, and friends.
The family will be holding private services at a future date.
