Obituary of Robert Michael Pavolka

Robert "Bob with one O please" Pavolka passed away January 28, 2014, surrounded by close family members. Born on April 19, 1928, Bob was a lifelong Tacoma resident who graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School in 1946 and Seattle University in 1951. He also attended The University of Washington Law School. Bob served in the US Army from 1951-1953 and received an Honorable discharge rank of Sergeant. From 1954-1964 Bob worked for Federal Shopping Way and affiliated companies. He was initiated into the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 1946 and began work as a Business Representative for Local 599 in 1964, following the legacy of his father Mike Pavolka. During his employment with the Teamsters, Bob held the position of Secretary-Treasurer of Local 599 for ten consecutive three-year terms without opposition. He also served as President of Joint Council # 28, a trustee on numerous Teamster pension funds and local and International committees. He retired from the Teamsters in 1995. Bob was also a past president of the Tacoma Boys Club and past chairman of several United Way of Pierce County committees. He touched and improved many working families' lives, fighting for employee rights and proper compensation while maintaining good employer relationships, only having one strike out of local 599 in thirty years. Along with being a committed Union advocate, Bob was also a dedicated family man and friend. He always had time to talk and usually started the conversation with "Hey did ya hear the one about the …. Which was then followed by one of his notoriously bad jokes. Bob would enter a room as a stranger and leave knowing everyone in the room and making them laugh. If you knew Bob you knew his love for boating. Owning several boats in his lifetime, if he was not working he could be found spending time in the boathouse, in the south sound or San Juan islands. Fishing pole in one hand and a McNaughton's in the other. There was not much he would rather do, except maybe watch a Seahawks or Mariners game. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Sue Sabol Pavolka, Michael T. Pavolka, and sister Eloise McNerthney (Dr. Jim McNerthney). Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years Shirley, daughters Margaret Pavolka Flock and DeAnn Pavolka- Bauer(John Bauer), sons Tim Pavolka (Patty ), and Paul Pavolka (Iris Valladares), grandchildren Mathew Pavolka, David Pavolka, John Pavolka, Jesse Bauer, and his only granddaughter Jordan Bauer. Bob is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins. All very much loved. A Funeral Mass to honor Bob will be 9:00 am Saturday February 8th at St. Rita's Catholic Church 1403 S Ainsworth Ave, in Tacoma, a reception will follow. Funeral arrangements by Piper-Morley with Oakwood Hill 253-472-3345. Please sign our guest book at www.pipermorleymellingerfh.com Remembrances may be sent in his name to Bellarmine Preparatory school. "Illegitmi non carborundum"