Robert Pawloski

Robert "Rob" Dean Pawloski, age 69, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Rob was born in Toledo, Ohio to Robert Pawloski and Lois Jean (Aul) Pawloski on September 26, 1954. Rob grew up in Trilby. He graduated from Whitmer High School in 1972 and continued his education to receive a journeyman’s certificate as a Tool & Die Mold Maker. After high school, Rob started racing motorcycles, competing in Moto Cross, 4-hour Hare Scrambles, and 100 mile Enduros, winning many events. In 1974, Rob met Kathy Olender at the Dixie Electric Co. and became friends. They started dating in 1975 and were married on April 1, 1978. Rob and Kathy were almost inseparable during their forty-year marriage.

Rob worked as a tool and die maker for over forty-eight years. He enjoyed sharing his work knowledge, teaching skilled trades for NTMA and telling work and life stories. Rob retired in 2020 from Northwood Industries in Perrysburg, Ohio. He was an avid boater as well as an active member of Bay View Yacht Club, having served as Commodore in 2002. Over his past forty-four years of membership, he held every elected office and also served as a member of the Board of Trustees. Rob served as club photographer, AYC delegate and chairman of the AYC hospitality room, chairman of the nominating committee, three years on the dock committee, years on the Constitution committee, recording secretary for over ten years. He was the coordinator for the Golf scrambles during homecoming and co-organizing six wine tasting bus trips with his wife Kathy. Rob learned to sail on his 13 ft. Banshee. He raced every weekend, including the Mills trophy race and other local clubs races. Rob and Kathy cruised up the North Channel on his 31 ft. Hunter for a month. He switched over to power boats.

Rob also enjoyed golfing and volunteered at the Bay View Retires Golf Course. Kathy and Rob enjoyed bicycling vacations which included trips around Michigan, Moab, Utah, the mountains of West Virginia, Bar Harbor Maine, North and South Carolina and numerous 65-mile charity rides including, the MS 150 bike to the Bay. They also enjoyed wine tasting weekends, various Caribbean and Alaskan cruises and riding his cherished Harley-Davidson.

Rob is survived by his beloved pet, Ivy; sister, Brenda (Ken) Urbaniak; special friend, Ruth Ann Murphy; and all his dear friends and family of Bay View Yacht Club and the Bay View Retires Golf Course.

Rob is preceded in death by his wife and best friend, Kathy; parents, Robert and Lois Pawloski; in-laws,Charles and Hattie (Lou) Olender; and beloved pet, Dayton.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of Toledo. A celebration of Rob’s life will be held at Bay View Yacht Club, 3902 Summit Street, Toledo, Ohio, at a time and date to be determined.