Robert Poduska

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our Bob, who died after 95 years of good life. He was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Charles and Frieda Poduska. As the youngest of six children, he enjoyed a rich family life where responsibilities were shared and tricks were regularly played on each other. Bob managed his family's candy business when it was his turn to take over the proprietorship of the enterprise from his older siblings. Profits from the candy sales provided significant support the family of eight while the Great Depression was in full swing. Bob's sports activities included basketball, football, and golf. He entered the US Navy immediately after graduating high school and became a signalman on an LST in the Pacific during World War II, ultimately participating in five amphibious invasions.

Bob returned to his hometown after the war and attended the University of Northern Iowa for two years. He married Thelma Fleming (TF) in 1948, and their rich partnership lasted 67 years until her death in 2015. After TF finished her assignment as an art teacher, Bob and TF moved to Colorado where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Denver. He worked as a brick and tile salesman for two years before starting a career in telecommunications that lasted 35 years. He enjoyed a variety of assignments including telephone company manager, marketing, customer relations, engineering, auditing, and emergency preparedness.

Bob and TF adopted and raised two daughters, Ann and Sue. Sadly, Sue died of cancer in 2004. After retiring, he joined a Kiwanis club and participated in many activities and volunteer projects as he continued to help TF with her art business. They enjoyed many trips to Asia and Europe during these years, and Bob continued to play golf. Bob enjoyed a monthly poker game with friends for over 40 years. TF and he also belonged to two writing groups for over 20 years where he produced three autobiographical memoirs: At Home, In the Service, and Pod, and they formed deep and lasting friendships with the members of the groups .

Bob's humor and grace will be celebrated by those he loved, including his daughter Ann McCue; sons-in-law Edward McCue and Mark Niksic; Mark's wife and mother to Sue's children, Sharon Niksic; grandchildren Connor McCue and his wife Michelle, Kelton McCue, Shane Niksic, and Kayla Niksic; and great-grandchildren Elowyn McCue and Walter McCue.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Bob’s name to:

International Myeloma Foundation

https://www.myeloma.org

JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

https://www.jdrf.org

Kiwanis International

https://www.kiwanis.org

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