Romie Dybas

Roman P. "Romie" Dybas passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025 at the age of 73. He was born on January 27th, 1952 to Roman S. and Elizabeth Dybas in Gary, Indiana.
On August 8th, 1986 he married his loving wife Annette (Christensen Downey) Dybas who survives in Chesterton.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roman S. Dybas; his brothers-in-law, Henry and Dick; and his daughter-in-law, Jane. He is survived by his wife, Annette; and his mother, Elizabeth Kepple. He is also survived by his children, Rebecca (Deyne) Nicholson of Clark, Colorado, Aaron (Sarah) Downey of St. Cloud, Florida, Jacob (Tristan) Dybas of Chesterton, and Benjamin (Laura) Downey of Orlando, Florida.
He is fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Finnian, Aubrey, Olivia, Calvin, Dexter, Samuel, Emerson, and Ellis – who lovingly called him Dzia Dzia. Romie is survived by his three adoring sisters: Christine (Charlie) Bucko, Audrey (Peter) Rice, and Charmaine Gore, with whom he shared lifelong memories; and his best friend of over 50 years, John "J.J." Rukavina, affectionately known as Romie's "bald-headed wife." Romie leaves behind a large, loving family and countless friends of all ages.
Romie grew up in Gary, Indiana. At a young age, he started his hard working career as a paperboy. He graduated high school from Lew Wallace in 1970 and was drafted in 1972 while working at Bethlehem Steel. He worked for 42 years as a millwright. He served in the U.S. Army for 2 years, most of that time in Berlin, Germany. While serving in Berlin he guarded Rudolf Hess at Spandau Prison near the Berlin Wall. Romie remained a lifelong history buff and avid reader.
Romie was always extraordinarily generous with his time. He spent many days at the beach with his family. When the kids were younger, they took many night walks, explored abandoned houses, and went on countless bike rides. He taught them to drive on the back roads. The kids could barely reach the pedals or see over the steering wheel, starting on his lap and graduating to sitting on a pillow. You never knew what adventures you were going to get into with Beefy! Another way Romie shared his generous gift of time was by being the first person to visit the sick in the hospital or nursing home residents, often showing up with an ice cream in hand. Romie made a point to attend funerals to support his family and friends. He made daily phone calls to many family and friends that will be dearly missed, even his standard seven second voicemails. Romie loved being social, stopping at one or more places a day for just one drink, even if it was soda water or cranberry juice. The Village and The Legion were among the places where he was considered a beloved regular.
Romie knew no strangers. He was able to form a special bond with everyone he met, often giving them unique nicknames. Many people affectionately referred to Romie as "Beefy". He loved to tell jokes to anyone who would listen, and sometimes to an unwilling audience. He spent lots of his time, almost every summer's day, at the beach at Lake Michigan. The beach was his favorite place to be, feeling the sun on his body. The lake was his air conditioning after a hot, hard day's work. Romie prided himself on getting in the water when most would consider it a polar plunge. He taught all of his kids how to tread water and wore them out by having contests and daring them swim to and from the buoys. To Romie, having sand in his car was a reminder of time spent at the beach. He always enjoyed nature walks, especially on the shores of Lake Michigan, no matter what the time of year or weather. He was a true nature lover, bribing his kids with candy bars if they spotted a deer or hawk. He also knew how to keep his four children quiet in the car, enticing them with a treat if they guessed the color of the passing caboose. Another way he found joy in nature was hunting and trapping throughout his life.
Romie had wanderlust and loved to travel with his family and friends. The family of six took summer road trips to Florida and Connecticut in the station wagon. As empty nesters, he and Annette took lots of road trips to visit their kids and grandkids in Tennessee, Colorado and Florida as well as many Caribbean cruises. Regardless of where she lived, he never missed an opportunity to spend quality time with his Mom. Romie always looked forward to his biannual fishing trips with his buddies and their trips to Las Vegas, especially the buffets and golfing. He cherished countless rounds of golf with his kids, family and friends; always appreciating spending time with loved ones. He also enjoyed his road trips to explore new places with Rebecca and Samuel. Romie was definitely a foodie and often associated his memories of vacations with what he ate and what he regretted not eating. Romie said he liked pie "hot, cold, and a la mode". Romie had many neighbors and friends that made him special treats. He encouraged everyone else to travel and make memories. Romie usually told his kids, and later everyone, "No mischief!" before embarking on a trip or just heading to work. He always believed in prioritizing experiences over material things.
Romie was a true romantic, regularly trespassing to clip wildflowers for his wife. Every spring he enjoyed procuring flowers and pussy willows for many loved ones. (The pussy willows even made it all the way to Florida.) He would often deliver them in a newly picked up garage sale vase, of which he had a vast collection. Romie always loved a good garage or estate sale where he found many treasures and trinkets that he often gave away before he even made it home.
Romie was a lover of summer. He always said how every day in March gets better and every day in October gets worse. Romie had many other words of wisdom that will live on forever in his family and friends. Romie was a prankster too and loved to trick people to make them smile. Sometimes the joke went a little too far, but this was part of his charm. Romie was proud to live life on his terms and had no regrets. He did what he wanted, when he wanted. This usually involved doing something kind for others. Romie would famously say, "I'll decide".
Romie was a longtime member of St. Patrick Church where he served as an usher. He also served on several ministries, including: Knights of Columbus #5929, Christ Renews His Parish, and Re-Membering Ministry. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post #170. He will be missed at his monthly game nights with church friends and his random poker games.
On Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 there will be a visitation at Edmonds and Evans Funeral home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN 46304, from 3:00-7:00 pm with a short prayer service at 5:00 pm. On Thursday, June 5th, 2025 there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton, IN 46304. Romie will be laid to rest in a private family burial service. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to St. Patrick Parishioners for Life, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton, IN 46304 or VNA Hospice Center, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46383.