Robert F. Bukowski, 87

September 12, 2024

Robert F. Bukowski, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 12, 2024, at Maple Farm Nursing Center in Akron, PA.  He is survived by siblings June, Joe, and Terry; children Mike, Gail, Pat, Marg, Dave, Dan, Dori, and Dina; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

He had a long life, full of world travel, music, and working with his mind and hands.  Bob paid for his degree in industrial arts education from Millersville Teachers College (now University) by working as a short order cook in a busy diner, and he loved cooking throughout his life.  He served stateside in the US Army Reserves during the Vietnam War (1954-62) cooking “the best mashed potatoes” as a culinary specialist and training on field artillery.  

After working for a few years in education, he moved on to a career in manufacturing with companies like Hamilton Watch, Schick razors, Grayco Baby products, and many others; ultimately working in retirement at E M Herr Ace Hardware in Columbia, PA where customers, coworkers, and even employees of other “big box” stores sought his advice and expertise on how to do projects the right way.  Bob and his late wife Joanne Norris Bukowski also loved cats, fostering countless kittens, and adopting some “hard-to-home” cats from a shelter where they volunteered for many years.

Bob loved music, especially polkas and waltzes. Young at heart, he regularly attended polka dances with his partner Dorothea into his early 80s.  Bob played the accordion all his life and accompanied the Lancaster Liederkranz’s Hobby Chor for many years, traveling and performing with them for two weeks in Germany in 1990.  He traveled the world with his wife Joanne and often other family members, visiting a new country almost every year. He visited 6 continents and dozens of countries, loving to learn morsels of people’s language, culture, and experiences.  He spoke Polish fluently and enthusiastically chatted with any Polish speakers he encountered.

Bob was full of fun and curiosity throughout his life, with a smile and joke handy for anyone who crossed his path.  He kindled affection in all of his caregivers at Maple Farm and on his Hospice team, to whom his family are truly grateful.  Always trying to be practical and useful, Bob donated his body to medical science through Humanity Gifts Registry, and his gift will help educate tomorrow’s medical professionals at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.  In lieu of cards or flowers, Bob’s family would appreciate donations in his memory (or anonymously) to Columbia Animal Shelter.