Robert Glomski, Wabasha
I’m a lucky man. I’ve had a beautiful, loving wife and three daughters who gave me six grandchildren and a great-grandson.
I was born in Prairie du Chien, WI, January 19, 1938 with my twin sister, Roberta (Glomski) Carrels. My mom and dad were Joseph and Athlene (Coyle) Glomski. I had an older sister, Janice (Glomski) Przywojski, and older brothers, Thomas Coyle and Max Glomski. A few years later my younger brother, Frank Glomski, was born. We grew up in Eau Claire and I spent a lot of time playing at Carson Park and swimming in Half Moon Lake. I spent quite a few summers with my aunt, Lutie Waggoner, in Fond du Lac, WI because of the depression.
I went to Regis High School in Eau Claire and joined the Navy when I was 17, where I served on the USS Charles R Ware. The Navy was a great opportunity for me because I got to spend time in a lot of countries that I would not have been able to travel to on my own. I attended several of my ship’s reunions over the years and kept in touch with a lot of the sailors I served onboard with.
After my discharge from the Navy in January, 1959, I visited my sister, Bert, in Wabasha, MN, where I met the love of my life, Janice (Polyard) Glomski. We were married December 26, 1959. In 1960 I got a job at American Motors in Kenosha, WI, and our first daughter, Connie, was born. We lived in Kenosha, WI, for nine years and had two more daughters, Sandy and Sue, while living there.
In 1969 we moved back to Wabasha and I got a job with the Wabasha Utilities Department where I worked for 30 years. I was a member of the Wabasha Fire Department, the Wabasha VFW and the Tin Can Sailors. When I wasn’t working or spending time with my family, I was fishing, bowling or golfing.
In 1984, I realized things needed to change. I worked the 12 Steps and became a friend of Bill W. and have been sober for 34 years.
In 1991 my nephew, Wayne John Carrels, invited me to sail on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from Honolulu to Seattle. I was honored to sail with Wayne and that trip was one of my greatest memories.
After retiring from the city, I did a few part time jobs. I drove veterans to their appointments at the VA in Minneapolis, drove lab samples for St. Elizabeth Hospital, delivered flowers for the Blossom Shop, and drove dealer trades for Tom Heffernan Ford.
My greatest memories over the years have been the times I’ve spent going to school functions and watching sporting events of my grandchildren: Nicholas Dutton, La Crosse, WI, Danielle Dutton, West Salem, WI, Rob (Carly) Kubes, Oklahoma City, OK, Halli Kubes, St. Paul, MN, and Madeline and Sean O’ Grady, Rochester. I also truly enjoyed spending time with the apple of my eye, my great-grandson, Theodore Alan Dutton, West Salem, WI.
I’ve really had a good life and been very blessed, but now I need to begin my next journey and join my parents, my brother, Tommy; my sister, Jan; my dear Aunt Lutie; my life-long friend, Jimmy Laehner; my brother-in-law, Bob Loechler; and my son-in-law, Rick Snell, in heaven.
I left this world January 23, 2018 due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease and leave behind the love of my life and my rock for the past 58 years, Jan Glomski, Wabasha, MN; daughters and son-in-law, Connie Dutton-Snell, West Salem, WI; Sandy Kubes, Red Wing; and Susan and Kurt Reinhart, Rochester; twin sister, Roberta (Wayne) Carrels, Reads Landing; brothers, Max (Betty) Glomski, Pearl City, HI and Frank (Maxine) Glomski, Honolulu, HI; and many nieces and nephews.
My Memorial Mass was held at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha on Friday, January 26, 2018, at 11:00am. Family and friends called at Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Thursday from 4-7pm and at the church on Friday one hour before the Mass. Military rites followed and were provided by the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086, the Wabasha American Legion Post #50 and the U. S. Navy. Interment will take place at a later date. Memorials are preferred to St. Ann’s Unit at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center, 626 Shields Ave., Wabasha, MN 55981; or to the Alzheimer’s Association of MN, 7900 W. 78th St., Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55439. Please join my family in celebrating what a great life I’ve had.
My family and I would like to extend a deep and sincere thank you to the caring staffs of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and Health Care Center and Mayo Hospice for everything they’ve done for us through this journey with Alzheimer’s.
