About
Robert Pelka Obituary
ROBERT F. PELKA
AGE: 81 WICHITA, KANSAS
Robert F. Pelka passed away on March 14, 2010, in Wichita after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Mr. Pelka was born to Emil and Mildred Pelka on April 20, 1928, in Wharton. He attended school in Wharton and graduated from Wharton High School in 1945 where he was an outstanding athlete in several sports. He graduated from Manhattan College in NYC in 1950 where he also excelled in all sports. After college he played briefly in the minor leagues with the NY Giants. He also played football with the East Dover Field Club for several seasons.
He worked for the government at Picatinny Arsenal and then transferred to the Veteran's Administration in Newark as Personnel Officer. Robert joined the NJ National Guard and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel in the 50th Armored Division as Battalion Tank Commander. He retired from the Guard in 1975 after 25 years, when his government job took him to Manila in the Philippines as Assistant Director of the only VA Hospital on foreign soil. He and his wife, Doris, spent three years there and returned to the US where he was assigned to the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Regional Office in Wichita, Kansas as Director, until his retirement in 1988.
Mr. Pelka is survived by his wife, Doris of 46 years; his daughter, Debra Gorog of Wharton; two stepsons, Darrell Bourque of Kansas and Dennis Bourque of Georgia; his sister, Mrs. Mary Schiffner of Rockaway; nephews, Robert and Randy Schiffner; and three grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday 7-9 PM at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton. Funeral service will be held Friday, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Restland Memorial Park, E. Hanover.
Offer condolences at www.BerminghamFH.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 20, 2010
Bob an I served together in the Guard for many years. He sure was a go getter. Lots of good memories. Bill Shrader Marathon FL
Nancy Bourque
March 17, 2010
Darrell, Doris, Debbie & Dennis,
I am deeply sorrowed in your loss of Bob...he was a teriffic man, and I will always remember his kindness to myself and Kristian...he was a great father-in-law and grandfather, and I am sincerely blessed to have known him. I cannot know the pain you are all feeling, but please know my heart goes out to you all, and you remain in my thoughts & prayers.
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
March 16, 2010
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself … any man’s death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
Marion Doyle
March 16, 2010
Debbie, as you said the only man a girl can trust is her Father. I feel your pain and know Bob and Herman are having a few now and looking at us and laughing AND wondering what they did right or wrong!? Time will heal but we will never forget. May God be with you now and always,
Love you Sister,
Marion & Family
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Jan St.Julien
March 16, 2010
So sorry to hear about Bob. We was always a wonderful father-in law to me. He will be in my prayers, and fond memories of him will be forever in my heart. Jan
Jan St. Julien
March 16, 2010
Debbie & Doris, I am so sorry to hear about Bob. He was always a great father-in law to me and I always thought the world of him. I will keep him in my prayers and his memories in my heart forever. Jan
Mary Olsen/Plant
March 16, 2010
Debbie and Doris, I am so sorry about Bob, he was my big guy. I'll miss him. Thoughts and love to you both. Mo
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216 S Main Street, Wharton, NJ 07885
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