Robert Walter Nadolski
Donation protected
We are inviting donations in honor of our father, Robert Walter Nadolski (Bob), who sadly passed away while traveling in the Philippines with his grandson on June 23, 2022. Our father loved the Philippines for its natural beauty and the kindness of its people. He had made many friends while traveling there, and returned almost every year to visit them and help them however he could. As a two-time Purple Heart Disabled Vietnam Veteran - the friends he made in the Philippines helped to care for him during his travels and keep him safe. We are forever grateful and happy that he was able to experience such great travels and people.
When our father suddenly passed, we were thousands of miles away in Indiana, while my 16 year-old nephew remained in the Philippines alone. We were unable to get proper assistance from any government agency, and had to travel to the Philippines to handle the situation. As I boarded a flight, my mother and sister worked with my father’s neighbor and dear friend, Meggin, as her church worked with a local missionary organization in Cebu - the Lighthouse Children's Home. Meggin was a wonderful friend to my father over the years, as was her husband Dusty and other members of their family. Meggin was always there to help him and check on him when we could not- so it was only fitting that Meggin and her family would once again be there for us.
Without the help of Meggin, her church, and the Pastors from the Lighthouse Children's Home - I do not know how I would have been able to handle my father’s affairs in the Philippines alone. Pastor Chris and Pastor Gary helped us so much. I am especially grateful to Pastor Gary, who met me at the airport and was there to escort me and guide me through all of the places and situations I had to handle those first painful days.
In honor of our father, Bob, we would like to invite his friends and family to donate in his name to these charitable organizations (listed below) so they may continue to help those in need- as Bob would have wanted. All funds raised will be donated directly to:
The Lighthouse Children's Homes - located in Cebu, Philippines (managed in the US)
The pastors who helped our family handle our father's affairs in the Philippines manage the programs here to assist homeless children by providing a home, clothing, and care.
The Gary Sinise Foundation
The foundation was created by Gary Sinise after he received an award from the Disabled American Veterans for his portrayal of a combat-wounded, double amputee, Vietnam War veteran in the movie Forest Gump. The foundation's work includes many programs and services for veterans and first responders - such as mortgage-free handicapped accessible homes for wounded veterans, mental wellness, community outreach services, and much more.
Our father respected Gary Sinise and the work that he did - and he loved the movie Forest Gump. He often said it was the most realistic portrayal of his days in Vietnam.
Cates Community Church - Covington, Indiana
Meggin and her family belong to this local church in my father's town of Covington, Indiana - it is this community, through Meggin and her family, that we were able to connect with the Pastors of The Lighthouse Children's Homes in the Philippines. We are very grateful to Meggin and Dusty and their congregation for their love and support.
In lieu of funeral services, our family will honor our father’s wishes by hosting a Celebration of Life later this year. We will announce more details later this summer. Bob wanted to be remembered for his generosity and his love for people and travel. It is for him that we ask for your support in raising funds for these good causes in his name.
Thank you to all who loved our father and spent time with him living, laughing, and loving. We have created a memorial website for him, and invite you to visit or share a story or photo.
With love and thanks,
Jessica & Jennifer & Pat
Bob’s Story
Robert Walter Nadolski (Bob), world traveler and social butterfly, sadly passed away on June 23, 2022, at the age of 75, while traveling in the Philippines with his grandson, Kyle. The two were on a month-long journey, visiting Bob’s favorite places and people while sharing his life stories. While we feel Bob left this world too young and too sudden, he was in a beautiful place doing exactly what he loved to do – experience the world around him to the fullest.
Bob was born on December 28, 1946 in Pennsylvania to Mildred and Sebastian Nadolski. Bob had many nicknames for which he was known over the years by friends and family, such as “Sticks”, “Robbie”, “Uncle Bob”, “Uncle Robbie”, “Blueberry Bob”, and “Bob the Traveler”. He was raised in Gary, Indiana with his siblings, Patricia (Nadolski) Matthews, Thomas Nadolski, Mark Nadolski, David Nadolski, Daniel Nadolski, and Mary (Nadolski) Lasco. He graduated from Andrean High School in 1964 and was drafted into the Army in 1966. After Officer Training School, Bob was sent to Vietnam on the U.S.N.S. Upshur from Oakland, California to Danang, Vietnam (Chu Lai) as a 1st Lieutenant and 2nd platoon leader of the 198th Light Infantry Brigade, C Company, 146th Infantry. In 1968, Bob returned home from Vietnam wounded after his platoon was hit by a land mine. For his bravery, service, and sacrifice, Bob was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Combat Infantryman Badge.
After many months at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., Bob married his sweetheart, Patricia (Smith) Nadolski on October 26, 1968. The two lived in Maryland and then returned to Indiana, where Bob completed his degree at Indiana University, Bloomington. Bob and Pat started their careers selling real estate together and then working at U.S. Steel, where Bob managed the Tin Mill at USS Garyworks. The two started their family and raised two daughters, Jennifer (Nadolski) Van Meter and Jessica Nadolski Corea. Bob’s family grew to include two sons-in-law, Lewis Van Meter and Nicholas Corea, and three grandchildren, Skyler Van Meter, Kyle Van Meter, and Daisy Van Meter, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bob was a person who did things, not just talk about them. His life advice was to never wait, do what you want when you can. As a Disabled Vietnam Veteran since the age of 21, he never let “I can’t” be an answer. He always found a way to take a family vacation with his wife and daughters, go fishing and hunting with his father, brother, and many buddies, or build something useful with his own hands by his own design. He designed and built playhouses for his children and grandchildren, decks, barns, and ultimately his house in Covington, Indiana – where he spent many years hunting, playing, working, hosting parties, building his pond, and taking great care of the hummingbird population.
Traveling was always in Bob’s soul. He worked very hard to provide opportunities for his family to experience new people and places. He even learned to ski in his 40’s through the Disabled American Veterans as an amputee and added annual ski trips to his family’s vacations in addition to boating, fishing, and many road trips across the country. Bob spent his retired years traveling all over the world. He took many interesting trips through Europe and Asia – including a trip on the Orient Express. He loved sharing his stories about his travels, which included the stories about his vacations with his wife and daughters, his solo trips making friends around the world, and even the inappropriate stories about his hunting trips with the guys. His favorite places included Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. He spent almost every year over the past 20 years returning to these places and the friends that he had made along his journeys. He was a very generous man who loved company, hosting a party, and generally making sure that everyone around him and with him was having a good time. He loved going out, meeting new people, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories.
Organizer
Jessica Nadolski
Organizer
Carmel, IN