Sergeant Major (Ret) Robert "Bob" Szymczyk

LEXINGTON—Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Robert “Bob” Stanley Szymczyk passed away peacefully from complications of Parkinson’s, at 3:30 p.m. on February 24, 2016, while at Oak Leaf Village, Lexington SC, where he lived with his wife Norma.Bob was 84 years old. Funeral Service will be held at 12 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home Chapel, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 with visitation at 11:00 prior to the service. Colonel Chaplain Mike Brown (Ret.) will be officiating. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. with full Military Honors in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229. Bob was born of proud Polish descent in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Stanley and Mary Szymczyk on February 17th, 1932, where he lived until enlisting in the Army on September 7, 1949.During the Korean War, Bob served heroically, receiving the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with Valor, and two Purple Heart medals for his conspicuous gallantry, leadership and sacrifice.After the war, while assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he met and fell in love with his bride of 63 years, Norma, where they were married on Jan 10, 1953.During his continued service to the United States Army, he led his family to stations around the world, while lovingly raising his five children with honor, respect and discipline. Upon retiring after 20 years from the Army at Fort Jackson, Bob and his family remained in Columbia, SC where he began his next years of service with the State of South Carolina, as Grounds Superintendent of Midlands Center.As his children progressed in life, building their own families and guided by the love and wisdom that he poured out, Bob and Norma fulfilled their dream of retiring to their vacation home on Lake Murray.There, Bob enjoyed peaceful lake living where he could fish constantly, garden tirelessly, and most importantly, provide endless warm memories for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids that will forever preserve his loving memory. The measure of Bob’s life is best characterized by the lasting impact that he left on his family, friends and brothers-in-arms. He cherished his time he spent in service and with his Army buddies until the very end.He was the example of hard work ethic and was always known to lend a helping hand to a neighbor.He lived by the mantra of “Leave things better than you found them”, which was evidenced by the fact that he always managed to have a project to do (for which he would “enlist” the help of visiting family…).Throughout his life, Bob was a Master Gardener who cultivated not only his gardens, but a legacy of excellence and leadership that resonates, and will continue to resonate, throughout his family. Finally, as an avid fisherman, Bob always seemed to know “where the fish were biting” (which undoubtedly is why the quantity of fish in Lake Murray is as low as it is today.)May Jesus now, and forever, help you cast your nets… He is predeceased by his parents, sisters, Janet, Karen and is survived by his wife, Norma Jean, his brother’s Ronald (Mary Ann), Allen (Kathy), James (Pat), and his sisters, Veronica ‘Chico’ Franz (Mike) and Patsy Joas, as well as his children Mary Ann LaRusso (Steve), Stanley (Lesley), Treasa Thompson (Larry), Stephen (Sallie), Kenneth (Sylvia); and his nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Murray VFW, Post 6740, 950 Rock-n-Creek Road, Leesville, SC 29070.