Robert Marek

Robert Joseph "Bob" Marek, 87, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away April 7, 2017, in Cheyenne. Bob was born June 21, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan, a son of the late Catherine (Ritz) Marek and Joseph Marek. As a young man, Bob worked at Ford Motor Co. in Detroit. Later as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, Bob served as a surgical nurse at the Warren Air Force Base hospital during the Korean War. He helped deliver hundreds of babies during the post-World War II baby boom. After wooing Mary Ann and marrying on September 3, 1952, they decided to stay in Cheyenne and he worked at Dairy Gold, Union Pacific Railroad and as a salesman at Occ's Gifts and Grier Furniture. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Cathedral Bob was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He put everyone else's comfort and happiness before his own, doting on his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann, and taking great pride in their children, Catherine Ann and Joe. He didn't have many hobbies, focusing instead on his work with a reverence and intensity that few could match. He spoke often of the joy he had delivering papers as a youngster in Detroit and the importance of that responsibility. Bob amassed many friends over the years with his gentle and goofy sense of humor. But his biggest fan base may have been the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of customers who purchased furniture and carpet from him during his many decades at Grier Furniture. He maintained a loyal base of customers not only with his humor, but also with his expertise and caring. He was often known to assist his elderly customers by stopping by their homes to personally make sure they were happy with their new furniture purchase and to see if he could offer any assistance with it. Years after Grier's went out of business, Bob's family members are still stopped on the street by people wanting to explain that virtually every stick of furniture in their homes came from Grier's, with Bob's help and concern. Shortly after Bob "retired" from Grier Furniture, he went back to work there for several years, but slowed down to working only five days a week. His work ethic was passed down to his children. Bob enjoyed golfing, watching classic movies and spending time with his grandchildren in Arizona. Politics interested him and he once ran as a candidate for the Wyoming State Legislature. Bob helped Mary Ann throw countless parties at their home, often in the service of charities or the state's Democratic Party. Their Cheyenne Frontier Days parties were epic, lasting well into the early morning hours. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann (Pollare) Marek who recently died in Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday, April 9th; his daughter, Catherine Ann (Marek) Poulos and husband, Steven Poulos, DDS; his son, Joseph Robert Marek and wife, Cindy (McCraken) Marek; and two grandsons, Harry Michael Joseph Poulos and Steven Robert Peter Poulos. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lorraine. Bob's family would like to offer special thanks to the nurses and staff at Davis Hospice Center for taking such incredible care of him over the last several weeks. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral with Father Thomas Cronkleton, Jr. In lieu of flowers and for the betterment of the community, Bob requested that any memorial donations be made to St. Mary's School Foundation or Davis Hospice Center of Cheyenne.

Service

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 2:30pm

St. Mary's Cathedral

2101 Central Ave.

CHEYENNE, WY