Robert J. Kopicki

How do you even begin to memorialize an extraordinary person's life?
In dad's case, maybe it will be useful to consider the approach he took himself to understanding the big picture in his work. As a geophysicist, Dad's career was all about interpreting data and uncovering what really lay beneath the surface: the story that was happening between the numbers - and everyone who knows dad knows how much he loved a good story!
The data will give you one impression but the actual story is what happens in the spaces between the data points.
So let's start with some of the data: Robert J. Kopicki was born on January 14, 1935 to Robert F. Kopicki and Nell Zegarski in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He was big brother to two sisters, Barbara and Doris. As a young boy, Roy Roger's horse Trigger, stayed in their garage when the act came through town. Robert senior was a funeral director and during his youth dad spent enough time helping out with the family business to learn that he wanted to do something else. After high school he went to Wilkes College and studied pre-med, when he was drafted into the army. He served during the Korean war, working at the Pentagon in intelligence. He used the GI bill to complete his BS at Penn State in 1959 and received his Masters in mineralogy at the New Mexico Institute of Technology in 1961. He taught geology at Lehigh University in 1962. He met the love of his life, Carole Pasquali, a hometown girl from across the river, through her friend, who just happened to be dad's sister Barbara. They were married May 25, 1963 and moved to Dallas, Texas where dad had already been working for a company called Geophysical Services Inc (GSI), the beginning of his career as a petroleum exploration geophysicist. They welcomed a daughter, Susan and a son, Robert during the Texas years. Dad's career advanced into roles at Gulf Oil, Superior Oil, and Mobil Oil, which moved the family to Johnstown PA, the suburbs of Pittsburgh PA, London England, Bakersfield California, Slidell and Lafayette Louisiana, and finally back to Dallas where Bob and Carole lived for 35 years. Carole passed away in 2012 just shy of their 50th anniversary. Later, as his health began to decline, he moved to assisted living in Ohio near his son Rob, where he resided the past four years. Bob passed away at the age of 90 on October 16, 2025 after a series of health setbacks. He leaves behind his daughter, Sue and wife Lynn, son Rob and wife Peni; grandchildren Matt and wife Claire; Tim and partner Ellyse; Emily and husband Jason; Kai; and six great-grandchildren.
These are some of the main data points on the map of Bob's life and that may give you one impression of who he was. However, the stories beneath the surface of these facts are what dad was really about. A man so full of life and laughter, sentimental and generous, devoted and just a bit eccentric. Of course, there were the adventures (and these all really happened!): typhoons and pirates in the South China Sea! Hostile tribes in the jungles of Papua New Guinea! Feasting on sheep eyeballs in Kazakhstan! Shamanic prophecies in Bolivia! Russia, Japan, Australia, Yemen, Venezuela... his travels spanned the globe, and he regaled us all with stories of hijinks and bizarre foods and near-death experiences.
But that was just another layer in this complex man. Go deeper and you'll learn other stories that he didn't share; stories that illustrate his big heart and how he made a difference in the lives of others: How he sponsored immigrants to this country. How he brought his mother-in-law to live with them when she grew frail. How he donated his RV for years to a couple who were homeless. How he was that guy who took time to get to know the donut shop lady and the bank teller and the dental hygienist and the gardener by name and listen to their stories. How he loved animals and would butter two pieces of toast every morning for the family dogs. How he believed in never showing up empty-handed. How he quietly sent donations to friends in need and numerous charities. How he enjoyed doting on our mother and creating elaborate scavenger hunts that ended in sweet gifts for her. How he lived for sharing boisterous gatherings of family and friends full of food and laughter. How he was always, always there for his children, no matter what.
Go a little deeper still and you may have been fortunate to see the vulnerable human behind the laughter and confidence he projected. The tender heart and tears that were behind his sometimes intimidating or curmudgeonly exterior. The tragic and profound sense of loss he experienced as he grew older. The faith that illuminated shadows in the science, guided his choices regarding his family and kept him doggedly going despite sadness and frustration.
Interpreting this map of dad... the data on the surface, the stories that run deeper... the pattern that emerges seems a clear and consistent legacy: Live fully. Love deeply. Share generously.
He is already so greatly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Thursday September 23, 2025 at Little Flower Catholic Parish 2040 Diamond St NE Canton, OH 44721 with Fr. Daniel Finnerty officiating. Visitation 10:00 AM until service time at the same location. Interment St. Catherine's Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
If you would like to make a contribution in dad's memory, please consider:
Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch (https://www.ksrr.org/)
Wounded Warrior Project (https://woundedwarriorproject.org)