Robert (Bob) J. Wajda, 89, passed away on September 22, 2021 after a battle with cancer. Bob proudly served in the U.S Air Force during the Korean War as a jet mechanic. He later worked for Teletype Corporation as a computer technician, for AC Nielsen, and for the City of Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Bob was born September 4, 1932, in Chicago IL, and lived most of his life in the Chicago area. He married Arleene Gibisch in 1962.
Bob was an amateur historian on the topic of World War II and enjoyed attending car shows with his son, Jim. An avid baseball fan, he enjoyed going to his first and only World Series baseball game in 2011 with his son-in-law, Craig. After moving to Iowa in 2014, he remained a lifelong Cubs fan and was ecstatic when the Cubs later won the World Series. Over the years, he loved attending the activities of his son, daughter, and grandchildren, including many baseball, softball, volleyball and football games, soccer matches, swim meets, cross country and track meets, triathlons, dance recitals and more. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of finding new home improvement projects, fixing things around the house, looking at real estate, sitting on his back porch and cruising on Lake Somerset at the home of Jim and his wife, Kris. Bob was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Arleene Wajda, his son, James R. Wajda, and his wife Kris Wajda of Cement City, MI, and Lynn M. Gaumer and her husband Craig of Ankeny, IA. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mark and Lexi Wajda, and Peyton, Ryan and Jesslyn Gaumer and a great-grandson on the way.
A memorial mass is scheduled for Monday, November 8, 2021, at 11:00 at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, Arlington Heights, IL followed by a celebration of life luncheon. Burial will be at Irving Park Cemetery in Chicago, IL. The family asks that memorials and donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum. Checks can be sent to 7105 NW 70th Ave. in Johnston, IA 50131 in memory of Robert J. Wajda to help recognize his service with a commemorative brick on the Wall of Honor.
