F. Robert "Bob" Bielski

F. Robert (Bob) Bielski of West Chester, Pennsylvania passed away at the age of 94 on October 10, 2025, leaving behind his beloved wife of 66 years, Elaine (Dusza), their children Rose Bielski (Ken Baker), Ann Lane (Curtis), Lynne Whitman (Michael), John Bielski (Katie), and Tanya Bielski-Braham (Lewis). He also is survived by two grandsons, Joseph and Gerek Whitman, two granddaughters, Nora and Alice Bielski, three nieces, Stephanie, Mary, and Lisa Roberts, and one nephew Bo Roberts. He was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Floyd Bielski, an infant sister, Jean May, sister Lorraine Roberts, brother-in-law Jack Roberts, and nieces Claire Karl and Milissa Roberts.

Born in 1931 in Michigan City, Indiana, on the shores of Lake Michigan, Bob loved to share stories of his neighborhood, affectionately referred to as "Hungry Hollow." With encouragement from his sister, Bob and Lorraine attended and later graduated from Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1955. After college, he was drafted into the Army, serving at Fort Sill. Following his service, he began correspondence with Elaine. A romance ensued, and they were married in September 1959. Bob went on to receive a master's degree in geography at the University of Illinois in 1961.

That year, Bob was hired by West Chester University in Pennsylvania where he taught geography, urban planning, and cartography and later served as chair of the Geography and Planning Department, retiring in 1996. He also was employed at the Chester County Planning Commission as the staff demographer, where he worked on the U.S. Census, retiring in 2003. He and Elaine developed a deep affinity for Chester County, He loved teaching, traveling, meteorology, and singing songs to and about his children. But mostly he loved his wife Elaine and family.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 233 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA, 19380 on November 8, 2025 at 10 am. A memorial lunch will follow at St. Anthony's Lodge Banquet Hall, 255 Church St., Downingtown PA 19335.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association or Habitat for Humanity.