August 2, 1952 - March 20, 2010
Robert C. “Bob” Witkowski, 57, of Ashley, PA, (formally of Wilkes-Barre) passed away on March 20, 2010, unexpectedly at his home.
Bob was born in Jersey City, NJ. He was the son of Charles and the late Florence H. Witkowski of Wood-Ridge, NJ. Bob was employed at the Salvation Army in Hanover Township, PA, and was the former owner of Gratefully Yours on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. He was a 1974 graduate of Kings College.
Bob was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church of Wyoming Valley in the Back Mountain area. He was actively involved in his community, and worked passionately over the last four decades for peace and justice issues. He was a long-time member and Steering Club member of the Interfaith Resource Center for Peace and Justice of Wilkes-Barre, PA. He also supported the Chickory House, a nonprofit folk music organization also in Wilkes-Barre, PA; Pennsylvanians Against the Death Penalty; Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern; Northeast Pennsylvania Folklore Society; and The War Resister’s League.
Bob was the father of two children, the late Kevin M. Witkowski of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Elizabeth-Ann “Beth-Ann” Witkowski, of Boston, MA. He also leaves Beth-Ann's husband, Jason Dorfman, of Boston, MA. Bob was the eldest of five siblings. Along with his father and daughter, he leaves his brother, Kenneth of Stockholm, NJ; sister Elaine Rutigliano, her husband Joseph, and their children, Joseph Jr., Melissa, Lisa, and Nicholas of Wood Ridge, NJ; brother Thomas and his partner Mark Davila of Arlington, MA; and brother James, his wife Susan, and their children Aminta and Shelby of Wood Ridge, NJ. He also has cousins in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The Peace and Justice Center, 63 North Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702-1317 http://peaceandjusticecenter.com/
Funeral Services:
The viewing will be at the Lehman and Gregory Funeral Home at 281 Chapel St in Luzerne, PA, on Wednesday, March 24, from 1-3 pm and 5:30-9 pm. A service will be held on Thursday, March 25, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wyoming Valley, located at 20 Church Rd., Wyoming, PA, near the Francis Slocum Park entrance, at 10:30 am followed by a short prayer at the Memorial Shrine Cemetery.
Vigil:
There will be a candle light vigil on public square in Wilkes-Barre at 7:30pm tomorrow, Tuesday March 23rd in honor and celebration of the life of Bob Witkowski. This event is kindly being planned by friends of Bob's including his good and long time friend Jim Spock. We welcome all those who would like to honor Bob to attend. Please bring a candle and join us.
This post will be updated with more information as it comes, so please check back. The obituary will be in local papers in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Bergen County, NJ, tomorrow, Tuesday the 23rd.
Memorial Services and Burying of Ashes:
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Bob's life on May 22nd, at noon, at the Memorial Shrine Cemetery on 8th St in Wyoming near Francis Slocum State Park. At that time, Bob's ashes will be buried near his son Kevin's grave. The event will be grave side weather permitting. If you would like to contribute any words, thoughts, or songs at the time of the memorial and celebration, please let us know. You can contact Bob's daughter, Beth-Ann directly or through the contact section of this website.
Thank you
Thank you for all the support and kindness, and the contributions made in Bob's name to the Peace Center and other organizations. Bob would be happy to know, that although he is not here to do the work directly, that so many of you have supported it. Thank you not only for the financial contributions, but also to those of you who continue the work of peace and justice in so many ways.
so sorry for you family's loss, I'm so glad I was able to meet him at your wedding! I'm sure he's very proud of you Beth-Ann!
ReplyDelete-Lisa
Having grown up behind the Witkowski family home, my family and I are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. We will keep the entire family in our prayers
ReplyDeleteErik Velez and the rest of the Velez Family
I am so sorry to hear about this sudden, tragic loss. I just saw him at church a few weeks ago! I always looked forward to hearing his thoughts during the joys and concern portion of our service. He spoke of you often, Beth-Ann. I know he was very proud of you. I'm thinking and praying for you during this sad time.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Beth Kilker
We need one less peace activist on this Earth like a soldier needs a hole in the head. If it's true that one door opens, I hope a baby somewhere is crying 'peace now'.
ReplyDeleteIm so sorry for your sudden loss.
ReplyDeleteI met Bob at the UU church. He was among the first people to make me feel welcomed in my new spiritual community. Bob had such positive energy and enthusiasm for life and his work with Peace. We talked of how he looked like Jerry Garcia to me. Bob shared his story and showed us an artical about Jerry Garcia and how his birthday was a day away. I am very Grateful that I got to know him. Blessings, Sheryl Hofmeister
Beth-Ann,Jason,Tom, Mark and family: Please accept our deepest condolences for your sudden loss. We had the pleasure of spending time with Bob on his several visits to Boston prior to the wedding. We are also aware of the void his loss has created for you all. You are all in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWith love, Michael and Stacy
From my brief experience, Bob was a man who lived by his principles. He was one of the people who I initially connected with at the UU church when I visited.
ReplyDeleteEven though he acted on his views, he didn't seem to judge anyone else if they didn't do as he did. He exhibited a way of life well worth emulating.
I will miss Bob, and send my warm thoughts to his family and friends.
Bob Witkowski was the only person willing--among several able--to testify on my behalf in a federal lawsuit I litigated by myself. The suit alleged discriminatory practices by the defendant in violation of the Fair Housing Act. I did not have to ask Bob twice; I didn't have to beg. Because of his support, I had the confidence to continue and ultimately settle the suit.
ReplyDelete"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" Isaiah 6:8 epitomized Bob's response to me. I am grateful and honored to have known him, and sure that any man who passes so swiftly from this world to the next--with copies of The Onion in hand--was (and is) very blessed.
I've know Bob my adult life. He was one of the most principled, honorable men I ever knew. His committment to social justice ran deeper than any of us, certainly me. Bob lived gently. Angels will enshroud him with Peace. - Chris
ReplyDeleteThe Peace and Justice Celebrates the life of a dear man shose life exemplifies the peacemaking principels we can all learn from.
ReplyDeleteBob constantly pointed out beautiful things of nature that would have passed unnoticed if it were not for his loving ability to share.
Rest in peace,
Rod
To Beth-Ann and the rest of the Witkowski family - my heart goes out to you. I did not know Bob well, but I know how much he was loved by those around him, and I am forever thankful to him for having a daughter like Beth-Ann, who helped me discover myself in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob.
Sincerely, with Love,
greg elliott
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Robert Witkowski, and will pray for him and his family.
ReplyDeleteAs pastor of Bob &Bobbie in the early 80's, I'll never forget the shock I felt when, before Bob was a member, he asked me to join him on entering the W-B Post Office where we would read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount(Mt. 5-7).
ReplyDeleteRather shy in such settings, we took turns reading loudly for all to hear as they entered and left the office. We did this for two mornings, with signs--the works. A number stopped to listen. I was deeply moved, so much so, that as an anabaptist, I told Bob I would rebaptize him right there if he so desired!
Bob was a humble,loveable human. A man not only after God's heart, but IN God's heart. Vel and I, our family and church were blest by him, Bobbie,Beth Ann & Kevin. Our prayers for them and Bob's family of origin as they adjust to their loss.
Love & Shalom,
John Shearer
I have fond memories of Bob's warm spirit, passionate commitment to peace and justice, and willingness to pay attention to me - an awkward teen - when I lived in Wilkes-Barre.
ReplyDeleteHis legacy, I am certain, lives on in those around him.
Best - Tobin Miller Shearer
Bob was a genuinely good-hearted person. I truly miss him.
ReplyDeleteJon Hart
I've know and been friends with Bob for many years meeting him while working at a local company. Bob was a truly well rounded person as he was intelligent, kind, loving, caring and a dear and supportive friend. Bob stood up for his beliefs and principles and lived his life that way. His smile and laugh could fill a room as he had a great sense of humor. I regret he did not live long enough to see each and every dream he had come true.
ReplyDeleteFor those who would not give him the time of day because he looked "different" I feel sorry for them as they missed out on befriending a truly unique and amazing gentleman.
I and many others will miss him always.
I am sure he is speaking with God suggesting ways to make it better on Earth.
Sleep in peace my dear friend, I miss you.
Love, Lorraine Yashowitz
Writer Ray Carver, when asked what he wanted most out of life, replied, "To be beloved in this lifetime." And, he was. So, too, was Bob Witkowski.
ReplyDeleteThe following poem, by an anynomous poet, came from NYC in the early 1990s.
All is Well
Death is nothing at all/I have only slipped away into the next room/I am I and you are you/Whatever we were to each other/that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name/Speak to me in the easy way you always used/Put no difference in your tone/Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow/Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes/we enjoyed together.
Play. Smile. Think of me. Pray for me./Let my name be ever the household word /that it always was/Let it be spoken without effect/without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all it ever meant/It is the same as it ever was/There is absolutely unbroken continuity/Why should I be out of mind because/I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you/for an interval, somewhere very near/just around the corner, All is well.
To a dear friend of mine I will always miss you.No words could describe what a wonderful person you were.My heart goes out to Bobs family.Peace and Love Joy
ReplyDeleteWe, here at the War Resisters League, were so surprised and saddened to learn of Bob's passing. He was so passionate about work for peace and justice, and an asset to our Organizing Network, serving as a local WRL contact, in Ashley. He was so warm and kind. Last year he offered to come in to the national office, when he made a trip to NYC, and volunteer for the day. He got straight to work, organizing back issues of the magazine, and lovingly sorting through our catalog of Peace Calendars, identifying the ones missing from the shelf. Bob knew that the work is made up of many small, and sometimes unglamorous tasks, and he happily tended to them. We will miss him.
ReplyDelete