Bob Rywalski, born in Toledo, Ohio on November 6, 1938, died September 23, 2022 at the age of 83.
Bob, who was born and raised in Toledo, graduated from Toledo Central Catholic High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Juris Doctorate cum laude degrees from the University of Toledo. He was the President of Alpha Sigma Phi social fraternity and a member of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honorary fraternity, and a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Intellectual Property Law Association, Ohio State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and an equity Member of Heather Downs Country Club (Toledo, Ohio).
Prior to becoming a licensed attorney, Bob had been employed as a Chemical Process Engineer by the Maumee Chemical Company and as a Materials Engineer for Owens-Illinois. He subsequently was Divisional Patent Counsel for Owens-Illinois and Patent Counsel for Owens-Corning. He entered into private practice of law in 1987 with the Chicago based Intellectual Property law firm of Willian, Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Lione. He was the Assistant Corporate Secretary for GenCorp Inc. and then its spin-off company Omnova Solutions Inc., both of Fairlawn, Ohio. He was proud of having received, as a civilian, a secret Security Clearance from the U.S. Department of Defense. After a distinguished career representing some of America’s top companies, entrepreneurs and U.S. citizens, he retired in 2002.
Bob enjoyed athletics, as a participant and fan. He was active in coaching youth baseball and basketball and in the administration for youth athletic programs. In his prime, Bob was an avid golfer and the Club Champion of the notorious 19th Annual Hankison Tournament at Heather Downs Country Club (which we believe was a 2-person best ball and one heck of a good time). He was also a big college football fan, Notre Dame in particular, and was convinced that he was at the actual ‘Rudy’ Notre Dame game in South Bend. He and his wife loved to travel covering many corners of the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Maine and summer vacations in Florida and other destinations in the Blue Ridge Mountains and East coast, and a favorite trip overseas to Italy. They also enjoyed trips to Chicago for the law firm’s “prom” when he was a partner there.
Bob loved walking for exercise with his wife, Mary, in his later years to the time that spinal degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and carcinoid cancer limited his capabilities and tried to slow him down. He was an absolute warrior in life and fought all the way until the end to spend more time, every second, with his wife and family.
Bob loved his family dearly. Every Christmas holiday he would make a speech, with his eyes just barely holding back tears, as to how proud he was of his family. Bob was the ultimate family man and Rywalski patriarch. He was, quite simply, the best. For anyone who knew him, knew that he was an amazing person. He was a great son, supportive brother, fun cousin, cool uncle, proud father, attentive grandpa and especially a dedicated husband. He was married to his amazing wife for 59 years before passing and they were just as adorable and affectionate in the end as they were when they first met and got married. They were the greatest role models demonstrating a relationship of unconditional love, patience, compromise when needed, and unwavering dedication to their children and grandchildren.
In his retirement years, he and Mary loved anything and everything grandkids from attending sports games, playing ‘chase the ace’ with the whole family and other card games, eating sweet treats, playing Hi-Ho Cherry-o, tickling grandbabies’ feet and chins, making funny duck noises, sitting at the table when creative art projects were underway or simply watching a classic movie with them.
Bob was preceded in death by his amazing, activist daughter Michelle who died at the age of 14, as a result of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (“SMA”) a genetic neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to weaken and falls within the greater category of Muscular Dystrophy. He was also preceded in death by his brave grandson Ryan Michael Buchholz (of Wooster, Ohio) who died at the age of only 3 months from complications also stemming from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Bob was reassured and excited to reunite with these two angels upon his passing, in addition to many others.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Mary Kraus of Erie, Pennsylvania, his son and daughter-in-law Mike and Danielle Rywalski of Bowling Green, Ohio, his daughter and son-in-law Lynn and Brian Buchholz of Wooster, Ohio, his son Eric and daughter-in-law Kristin Rywalski of Los Angeles, his sister Pat Golba Lynch of Arizona and his proud legacy of grandchildren: Tyr, Mariah, Zack, Grace, Grant, Elle, Iris and Freddy.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday October 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn Funeral Home. Father Tom McQuillen will officiate. Visitation will be held Tuesday October 11, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
Bob’s ultimate place of rest, besides the 19th hole and much-deserved Clubhouse upstairs, will be in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio with his daughter Michelle.
In lieu of spending time in getting flowers, the family requests a few possible alternatives: spend time with your loved ones doing more of your favorite activities, whether it’s a round of golf, fishing with your grandkids, taking in a ballgame, going to the zoo, a phone call to mom, or simply a cold drink filled with great stories and family time. Life is short and even at the age of 83 with an amazing run under his belt, we’re sure Bob would attest to it.
If you are inclined to make any donations, the family encourages any of the following:
The Muscular Dystrophy Association
161 N. Clark, Suite 3550
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy
925 Busse Road
Elk Grove Village, IL. 60007
The Multiple Sclerosis Society
6133 Rockside Road, #208
Independence, Ohio 44131
With all that said and in his almost fully, self-written obituary on a yellow legal pad in true Bob fashion even noting copyright © and revision dates of course, he left everyone with one final request and wish in all capital letters: “LOVE”
