Date of Birth:
Friday, February 7, 1930
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Age:
93 years old

Robert “Bob” Mesarchik

Robert “Bob” Joseph Mesarchik died peacefully on Saturday February 3, 2024 surrounded by his 4 children and other close family, and achieved his lifetime wish of dying in his own home of 56 years.

Bob’s life is a perfect example of a long life, well lived. Everyone who knew him called him friend and when they asked him how he was doing, the answer was always the same, “better now that I’ve seen you”. Bob was the proud patriarch of a family of 32 that included 4 grateful children, 7 blessed grandchildren, and 10 precious great grandchildren, (with one on the way).  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and loyal friend. He was a wonderful, curious person, a lifelong learner, and a friend to all.

Bob was born on February 7, 1930 in Chicago, IL, proud son of hard working parents Joe & Marian Mesarchik, and loving brother of his dear older sister Joy. In his youth he was able to get out of the city and attend summer camp, at YMCA Camp Duncan, which he said changed his life. He was a graduate of Austin High School, where he was interested in all things shop. Mechanical, electrical, he would build and fix anything he could get his hands on. This led to a lifelong love affair with cars. He owned over 80 cars in his life, (but only 1 new one), and lifelong interest in electronics. He enrolled at University of Illinois, Chicago Circle, but his college opportunity was cut short because he needed to work to help support his family. Family came first. After graduation he met the love of his life Marie Richardson. In the best decision of his life he married his “honey” in 1952.

Together, he and Marie set off on their adventurous life together, first stop was the U.S. Army, where he leveraged his mechanical and electronics skills to join the team at CalTech, Pasadena, CA in developing the Corporal Guided Missile, America’s first surface-to-surface guided missile. This led to a role as an instructor of guided missile technology at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL, where rockets were developed that launched America’s first satellites and took us to the moon.

Upon discharge Bob returned to Chicago and made the second best decision of his life. Given the choice of his old job driving a truck for Wonder Bread or becoming a field service engineer for Magnecord, an early tape technology company, he joined Magnecord.  Two years later, his boss called him into the office and said they could not pay him what he was worth, so he referred him to a new company called International Business Machines. He spent 34 years at IBM, retiring in 1990, holding numerous field service engineering and field engineering management roles. His career took him to New York, 3 times, Madison, WI, and finally a return to the midwest to Rochester in 1968. He was most proud of his participation in the SAGE program for the Air Force, America’s first air defense system and the first computerized air traffic control system for the FAA. In Rochester, he held field engineering leadership roles previously only available to college graduates.

Bob enjoyed life. His greatest passion was any time spent with family and friends. He prioritized any family event, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was committed to a close, lifelong relationship with his entire extended family. He was always a very important person in their lives. Birthdays were always special and preferably celebrated on the day.

Along the way Bob was able to live his dream of becoming a private pilot and starting a business teaching driver improvement to seniors.

He enjoyed camping and boating, singing in the St. John’s church choir and Rochester Music Men barbershop chorus. He also participated in car clubs, square dancing, and other activities, where he was always the social leader and “spark plug”, encouraging participation and building friendships. He loved traveling, beginning with the United States, all leaving a lifetime of stories. Bob often said he had more time than money and he used it to provide adventurous and memorable summer vacations for the family, (usually pulling a trailer or driving one of the motorhomes, although he did pop for a hotel room when it was 115 in Las Vegas). He hosted numerous trips east and west, Alaska and Ireland. After retiring he and Marie traveled the world, including Europe, Russia, and China.

The greatest influence in Bob’s life was his family, especially his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Family and friends made him happy and gave him a real purpose for living. In the past 10 years, following the death of Marie, he often wondered out loud, “why she went first”. He answered his own question, saying that there must be more for him to do and there sure was. He was always helping others deal with life and he witnessed 4 weddings and welcomed 9 more great grandchildren. He took the time to care deeply about everyone and shared his wisdom of a long life well lived with everyone. We all understand that, “the price of freedom is responsibility”. Recently, he would share that he was grateful to be so blessed with such a great family and so many friends. In the past 2 years he was particularly grateful to be blessed with wonderful caregivers, who kept him in his home, starting with the children and their spouses. Our family will be forever grateful for Angela, Anita, Mary, Kathy, and all the wonderful doctors, nurses and hospice folks who took care of Bob. In his own words, he repeated all the time, “I’ve had a wonderful life”.

Bob is survived by 30 immediate family members blessed enough to have known him. 4 children, Kathy (Joseph) Buske, Eagan, MN, Mike (Peggy) Mesarchik, Apple Valley, MN, Mary Lou Mesarchik (Chuck), Rosemount, MN, John (Rhonda), Mesarchik, Naperville, IL. 7 grandchildren, Michael (Sheila), Laura (Joey), Sara (Scott), Maggie (Scott), Joe, (Amanda), Christine, and Abigail. 10 great grandchildren, Aiden, Lola, Eleanor, Charles, Harvey, Jazlyn, Jameson, Josie, Theo, and Winston.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Marie, parents Joe and Marian, his big sister Joy, and numerous family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30AM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 12, 2024 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service, at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester following a lunch reception.

Memorials are preferred to YMCA Summer Camps, Camp Duncan, Ingleside, IL; Camp Olson, Longville, MN, Seeds of Wisdom, Mayo Hospice, or your choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com