Robert F. Sawinski

Robert F. Sawinski passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord and his beloved wife Marcella in the early hours of February 1st, 2016. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded and comforted by his loving family, at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville, NC. He was 97 years old. "Bob" was born on July 30th, 1918 to the late Mabel Sawinski, just outside of the small town of Rosemont, Minnesota. Bob completed grade school at the District 94 Elementary School, in the heart of Rosemont. He graduated as a Cadet Captain from the prestigious Cretin High School in St. Paul, MN in 1936. He continued his studies at the University of Minnesota, earning degrees in motion and time study and blue print reading in 1942. His education continued long after college through a variety of trainings and management programs related to his longtime employer, Swift & Co. Bob started his career at Swift & Co. in June of 1938, making just .44 cents/hour. He worked his way up through the company before retiring after 41 years of service as the head of industrial engineering for the United States and Canada in 1979. Bob was a veteran, serving in WWII in the Army Air Corps. During his time of service, he developed a passion for his beloved ham radio. Even completing schooling at Scotts Field Radio School in IL. He continued his love for his ham radio, making it a daily routine in retirement. When it was said and done "KD4DJ" had recorded communications with every county in the U.S. at least three times, along with multiple other countries around the world. Bob was a faithful Catholic, giving decades of service to the church. He was in the Knights of Columbus since 1950, was a Fourth Degree Knight and past Grand Knight, as well as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector for many years. His deepest passion was the one he had for the love of his life, his wife of 70 years, Marcie. The life they built, and the love they shared, will forever be his greatest gift to us. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Sawinski and his wife Marcella. He is survived by his sister Lucille Fischer of St. Petersburg, FL; his children, Robert Sawinski (Louisa) of Hawaii, Jane Nuckolls (Jim) of AL, Judy Ludwig (David) of Utah, Jodelle Schuhrke (Jerry) of IL, and Jill Calfee (Joe Sharpe) of NC; grandchildren, Celeste, Robert, Rachel (Melvin), Rebekah (Matt), Amelia (Darren), Sarah, David (John), Tiffany (Josh), and Jessie; great-grandchildren, Kate, Emily, Zach, Nicholas, Olivia, Darcy, Madison, Jack, Holden, and Neely; great-great grandchild, Eli; and his beloved dog, Bailey. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St., Asheville, NC 28801. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Donations may be made in Bob's name to Meals on Wheels, 146 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28803, or to CarePartners Solace, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Special thanks to all the caregivers and the outpouring of support our family received during this time.