Robert W. Szuminsky, Sr.

Born May 2, 1934, as Robert William Szuminsky, Bob passed away at the age of 85 on July 4, 2019 after a recent decline in his health. Bob was the third of five children born of Joseph August and Elmira R. Szuminsky of Pittsburgh, PA.  Husband of Catherine Jane (Keyho) and father Robert, Jr. (Abigail), Rosemary, Roger (Lisa), and Cathy (Darrell).  Grandfather of Bobby, Michael, Andrew, Steven (Jennifer), David, Sadie, Austin, and Owen.  Great Grandfather of Makayla and Lucia Mae.  He is survived by his younger sister Elmira Rose and proceeded in death by siblings Joseph Neil, Mary Lou, and Howard.  

Bob’s life could be described primarily through one word; LOVE.  Bob loved completing a solid day’s work, he loved his horses, he loved playing games of challenge, and he loved the Steelers.  Most of all he loved his wife and family.  His life left an impact on all of those he knew. 

Bob was talented in understanding how objects worked.  He had a candid ability to “see” how to fix a broken part or design an adaptation to make anything work better.  Bob worked for many years, retiring from the bottling center at PepsiCo Plant in McKees Rocks, PA, where he was employed as a Production Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing and conducted a multiplicity of repairs.  Tool in hand, Bob could easily predict a mechanical defect at work, as well as home.  Both family and friends often sought his advice and assistance, to which he was always up for the challenge.  Perhaps his ability and love of mechanical devices spurred his collection and love of watches.  Following retirement from PepsiCo, Bob enjoyed many years of leisure with his wife, Kay, and with his family. 

Throughout his adult life, Bob enjoyed three major leisure time activities; his horses, the Steelers, and games of challenge.  For many years, Bob enjoyed weekends riding his beloved horses.  His patience and attention to details carried over into training his horses to march in parades, performing various gaits and trots.  His enjoyment of horses passed to some his children and grandchildren, whom often would join him in rides or caretaking. 

To Bob, the Steelers were his favorite.  Bob became a season ticket holder and for many years joined his younger sister, Elmira Rose, to cheer on his beloved Steelers.  Bob and Kay faithfully decorated their Pittsburgh home each fall and wore clothes made of black and gold, applauding the Home Team at each milestone.  He often took his children and grandchildren to join his trek to the city and stadium to enjoy the “insight of his passion,” inviting them a view of his enjoyment and enthusiasm of game day events and traditions made.    

For many years, Bob and Kay enjoyed the challenge of seaside and local casinos, often planning vacation excursions and weekly trips to partake.  Each day, he would await the selection of daily numbers and enjoyed TV shows that offered competitive challenges between contestants.  Every May, he would set the clock for the Derby, sitting at seat’s edge gaining pleasure at both horse and contest.    

Bob’s character was such a significant impact on his family.  He compassionately took care of his wife and family, with love as well as financial support.  Bob loved his wife and family deeply.  He spent endless hours enjoying time and activities with his precious Kay.  When asked about his courtship to Kay, Bob provided a firm, “I met her the same month I wanted to marry her.”  And in response to a “Really?” would be met by his unwavering answer of, “I knew what I had.  No moss grows under these feet.”  To the day of his passing Bob’s eye lit at every glance of Kay’s face or sound of her voice.  This was a true 61 yearlong love story. 

Together with his loving wife, Kay, Bob purposely taught and grew his children into the adults.  Within his two sons lives Bob’s “eye” for the way things work and his strong sense of doing right.  Each son, in their own way, lives out this legacy in voice and professional choices.  His “eye” for how to make something work, to “see” keen lines and details, are demonstrated by his oldest son, Bob, Jr.  Each time a tool is held and manipulated, a glance is had as these same skills are used by the way his oldest son “puts things together” to create metal masterpieces.  Bob’s service to others and sense of justice have manifested in the desires of his youngest son, Roger, who professionally selected careers in service of nation, then community to uphold those common and uncommon values Bob taught his children early on as the virtues to uphold.  His daughters, too, have an eye for detail and compassion of others.  Bob’s oldest daughter, Rosemary, creates ease in her patients’ day, assisting with compassionate care of life skills support to the details of person and to create comfort to family.  Cathy, his youngest daughter, uses a “proportional eye” in her professional leadership role discerning facts and figures to determine calculated direction, as well as providing unique interpersonal skills to set patients at ease.  Cathy lovingly oversaw her father’s health care, always listening to and respecting his needs and desires.  Bob loved the large gatherings of family at events.  With children and grandchildren mingling, enjoying festivities, Bob would gain Kay’s attention and say, “Look, Mom what we created.”  Then he would proudly smile.  These children are living examples of Bob’s legacy of love, compassion, strength, and creativity.

To Bob, we say, thanks for your love, your time, your lessons, your laugh, your smile, your hug and kiss.  Goodbye Husband, goodbye Dad, goodbye Pap.  Goodbye Brother, goodbye Uncle, goodbye Cousin.  We will see you on the other side of Heaven. 

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