ROBERT J. NOWICKI

June 1, 1926 - Oct. 16, 2007
SOUTH BEND - Robert John Nowicki, 81, of South Bend, died after a short illness on Oct. 16th in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center. His parents were John and Lottie (Woltman) Nowicki, and he had a brother, Edward Nowicki, and a sister, Loretta (Nowicki) Deranek, who are all deceased now.

A lifelong resident of South Bend, Bob graduated from Central High School where he captained the tennis team, did a lot of towel snapping, was the social director for the now defunct "Esquire Club," and was voted "Best Dancer" in his graduating class.

WWII called, and Bob served as a sergeant in the Air Force - single-handedly running a supply unit in Japan during the reconstruction and earning the nickname "Pokerfaced Bob." After the service, Bob graduated from Butler University with a degree in accounting which he later used to his advantage as a trustee at Zion United Church of Christ -- and on trips to the racetrack or gambling boat. Following short stints as a brewmeister and polka instructor, Bob found his true calling in sales. After teaching Zig Zigler everything he knew about sales, Bob went to work for WNDU radio where he spent 35 years and ultimately was the station manager.

Bob married the former Alma Tohulka in 1949, and they were married for 42 years until her death in 1991.

He is survived by daughters, Terri Hall of Dallas, TX, and Nanci Aho of Concord, CA, and son, Scott Nowicki from Naperville, IL. Also surviving are four grandsons, Adam Roberts, Connor Hall, Casey Hall and Robby Nowicki, and a granddaughter, Chloe Nowicki.

Bob was a member of the following organizations: University Club of Notre Dame, Sales & Advertising Executives Club, Elks Club, Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Broadcasters Association, South Bend Press Club, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and the Diamond Lake Association.

Visitation will be today, October 19, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 20, at 10:30 AM in the funeral home. Rev. Gilbert Washington will officiate. Bob and the family request that, in lieu of flowers, they would appreciate donations to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; to the Zion United Church Scholarship Fund, 715 E. Wayne St., South Bend, IN 46617; or to the Hope Rescue Mission, 532 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Oct. 19, 2007.

02/17/2023 EJS