Obituaries

Robert “Bob” Bruce Komarek, 79, passed away November 10, 2023, at 9:10 pm.

Robert “Bob” was born August 10, 1944 in Cleveland, OH to Oscar and Cathryn (Lorenzen) Komarek who preceded him in death. On June 11, 1966, he married Patricia “Pat” Ann Betz Komarek, who survives.

Survivors include: Wife, Patricia “Pat” Ann Komarek of Lima, OH. Son, R. Bruce (Missy) Komarek, Jr. of Celina, OH, Daughter, Kara (Alan) Klink of Findlay, OH. Granddaughter, Claire Komarek of Columbus, OH, Grandson Noah Klink of Findlay, OH, Granddaughter Anna Klink of Findlay, OH, Brother, Jon (Cynthia) Komarek of Sandusky, OH, sister-in-law Shirley Betz of Naples, FL, Niece Kristen (John) Mitchell, Niece Melisa (Stuart) McClure, Niece Heidi Komarek-Freysinet, nephew Matt (Katie) Betz, Bob’s black lab Charlotte.

Preceded in death by: in-laws, Stanley and Bette Betz, brother-in-law Gary Betz, grandparents Perrie and Anna Brown, beloved K-9 friend Annie.

Services will be held November 19, 2023, at 3:00 pm at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Shawnee Chapel. Herb Wilker, Chaplain for Mercy Health St. Rita's Hospice will officiate the service. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be Sunday, November 19, 2023, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Shawnee Chapel. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at the Laurel Oaks Park Community Building, 120 Chickadee Place, Elida, OH until 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Bob Komarek Elida High School Scholarship Fund, ℅ Joel Parker, 4380 Sunnydale, Elida, OH 45807 and Mercy Health St.Rita’s Palliative Care and Hospice, 803 West Market Street, Lima, OH 45805.

Bob graduated from Norwalk High School, Norwalk, OH in 1962. He went on to graduate from Ohio Northern University in December1966 with a B.S. in Education. He began his teaching career at Gomer High School teaching Industrial Arts. When Gomer merged into Elida Local Schools in 1970, he taught the remainder of his 30 years of teaching at Elida High School. Bob positively influenced many students as he taught Industrial Arts-Woods and Mechanical Drawing. He also taught Technical Drawing at Lima Technical College for many years.

Bob was a loyal fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Guardians. He loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting, skeet and trap shooting with his son, Bruce. His woodshop was a favorite place to build his many projects such as the entire kitchen for his home and his wife’s hope chest. Oak clocks, mug racks, shelves and quilt racks were popular gifts for friends and family. He loved to restore and talk about classic cars. Most of all, Bob loved spending time with his family and telling ‘dad’ jokes.

A six-week trip to Germany, France, Belgium, and Austria traveling on a barge with the entire Komarek Family was a great experience for all. Bob loved cruising and he and Pat made two trips to Hawaii and also cruised to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean Islands. His daughter, Kara, honored him by running in a Marathon in Rome with Team Diabetes from the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

His family wished to express their gratitude to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Hospice and Palliative Care doctors and staff for the care provided to Bob. Without their guidance, the family would not have been able to care for Bob at home for most of the nine weeks he needed special care.