Robert Joseph Heleniak
Robert (RJ, Bob) Heleniak went to be with the Lord on June 6, 2020.
Bob was born on March 19, 1930, the second of four boys to Constantine and Gertrude Heleniak. For a Polish kid from the southside of Milwaukee he lived longer, travelled farther, and flew higher than he ever imagined. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1948.
After graduation, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1951.
Wanting to be a pilot, but not being able to due to eyesight issues, Bob instead went to work for a short time as an apprentice mechanic for Eastern Airlines in Miami Florida. He decided he wanted to return to school and was grateful for the GI Bill which would help pay for it. Bob then returned to Milwaukee where he met and married his wife, Arline, in 1953 and received his BA/BS degree from Marquette University in 1957. While at Marquette, Bob was recruited by the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, Washington so he and Arline made the move across country. They eventually settled in Bellevue, Washington where they raised their two sons, Timothy and Robert. Bob took an active role in his sons’ sporting activities particularly baseball where he was coach, manager, and President of the Federal Little League.
He was an active member of the St. Louise Catholic Church and school which his sons attended.
He worked for Boeing for 35 years travelling all over the world as an International Salesman particularly in Australia, Fiji, Malaysia, and other countries in the Pacific. His final posting was as the Resident Representative for Boeing in Australia, where he and Arline had a delightful three years living in Sydney and making many wonderful friends and enjoying the sights.
Bob retired in 1992 from Boeing and moved to Sequim, Washington where he enjoyed golfing, building a model railroad and model airplanes, hunting chukar with his Brittanys, salmon fishing in Sekiu, and spending time with friends and family. In 2009, he and Arline moved to Idaho to be with family and new friends and grandchildren.
Even as his mobility declined in the past few years, Bob could often be seen on the sidelines of a meet or game cheering on his grandchildren.
Bob is survived by his wife of 66 years, Arline, sons Timothy (Holly) and Robert (Amy) and grandchildren Bethany, Shelby, Graham, Brock, and Darcy, brothers Daniel (Olivia) and Thomas and sister-in-law Mary and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Conrad, and sister-in-law Ruth.
Because of the pandemic the memorial service will not be held until September so that those living far away can safely travel to attend.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.
Condolences(3)-
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Mary says
June 15, 2020 at 8:20 pmDearest Arline…
His smile is wonderful… reminds me of his chuckle.
I understand the feeling of the loss of what has been a part of one’s life for so many years,
and I send my love to you, and to Rob and Amy who were so close, and to Tim and Holly.
May God bless you with ever-increasing warm memories and understanding.
With heartfelt thoughts…
maryH
Shirley Mullikin says
June 27, 2020 at 8:47 pmARLINE,
Not a golf day goes by that I don’t think of you on the back nine.
We are so thinking of you as you send your man off to our Savior. He was
a great guy and your were a good team.
Know you are in our prayers and just want to tell you that the flag was down in
his memory.
Take care of yourself and we are so happy you are there with family. Nothing like it!!
Shirley and Bruce Mullikin
Sunland buddies.
Elizabeth and Robert Rashid says
June 29, 2020 at 5:47 pmWe were able to experience the kindness and hospitality of Bob and Arline when they lived in Sequim. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Arline and family. May Bob Rest In Peace.