Robert Stachelek

Sadly, I, Gale Stachelek, announce the passing of my precious and wonderful husband, Bob Stachelek, who died in a horrible car crash on Route 9, November 15, 2023 in Wilmington, Vermont, our home, while we were singing “oldies” in our car.  I lost my best friend, my love, my joy and my priceless gift that showered me with happiness and fun, and wonderful love for 54 years! Bob had a great personality and always sprinkled humor in all he did.  Our love was intertwined in our whole life together. Bob was predeceased by his twin brother, Bill, and brother Jim, and his parents, Theresa and Joseph.

Bob always told the family he had the best voice, so blasted the lyrics of the favorite songs he loved. He always said he was the better looking twin and reminded his brother Bill of that fact all the time. What wonderful adventures ensued.  Five wild brothers: Bob, Bill, Jim, Tom and Ken now move to New Britain, Connecticut to Sunvale Project, where all the excellent athletes hung around.  He learned to play basketball, tennis, football, golf, cross country skiing, and boating. On our beautiful Vermont Harriman Lake, our boat filled up with water and started sinking just after passing inspection by the lake ranger.  All the friends on board starting screaming.  Bob stopped the “Titanic” and calmly put the drain plug in, which he forgot before launching.  He then hit it for 65 mph and all the excess water bailed itself out.  We didn’t lose that many passengers. Bob was a great chef on the grill, but he forgot to turn the grill off.  We came back home to a forest fire all around the grill. No problem a hose couldn’t fix. He could always handle a crisis calmly while I ran around screaming!

Bob and Bill were given a ’57 white Cadillac convertible that they shared together.  They had new luxurious powder blue leather installed on the front seat and both guys were happy as a clam, until my “cig” dropped on the beautiful leather and burned a huge hole in it.  After I was released from the ER, (I lived through this) I stopped smoking immediately. He was so understanding and kind.  Bob attended in New Britain, Smith School, Roosevelt Junior High, New Britain High School and finally, Central Connecticut State University where he earned a Bachelor’s and Masters degree in education.  He taught Computer Science and Tech Ed in Middletown Connecticut for 35 years.  He squared away all of the challenging students with great learning activities and not that many lost fingers.  His kids loved his class.

Tenting with Bob was a riot, when we realized our tent was pitched backwards and inside out so no doors or screens could open.  We then looked up and saw a huge light, dangerously approaching us.  No worry, we escaped from the oncoming train by hopping up in the air out of the way.  We did not need that need that tent anyway.  We had a screenhouse with not that many holes in it.  The next night, we visited another lovely ER, when a bug inhabited Bob’s ear while he was sleeping in the tent.  Not much was bitten inside, and the giant cotton ball didn’t show that much.  Our hearts were linked together, no matter what happened, Bob was always a joy who had a fabulous sense of humor and always found laughter in any crisis.  Our lives were always filled with love and laughter and he would light up a room and touch so many people with his funny stories.

When passing a cemetery, Gale’s elderly parents would say, “Let us off here, we’re ready.”, so Bob gave them a “Dr. Kevorkian Death Gift Certificate” for Christmas, which they loved. We rented a “mouse” house on a beautiful waterfront lake in New Hampshire with friends.  We stayed there even though tons of mice were roaming inside.  With our buddy Roger’s drum percussion, done on the sides of a washing machine, and a colander on his head to avoid mouse aerial attacks, he managed to spook most of them away so we could shower and eat. Even though this was a fishing expedition, no huge bass appeared, however, we always heard the patter of little feet running around all-night as we pulled the covers over our heads.  Bob was an expert woodsman, who was always able to control our Vermont bears.  He had a color paintball gun to spray bears to see which ones frequented our house the most.  We had a stunning rainbow of colors on the sides of our house as the bears nibbled our berries.  He missed a lot.  He also had a bear spray that could deter bears 30 feet away.  Unfortunately, he sprayed me in the face instead of the bears. The sting was not too bad and my eyesight recovered shortly.

Our love was a precious gift in both of our lives; through the years in laughter and tears, we shared 54 wonderful years together.  Words can’t express how happy we were together always! I thank God for the privilege of being his wife.  I will always love him as I keep him in my heart and soul.  “Good night, sweetheart, I love you, Angel”

I thank my family, my Connecticut and Vermont friends who so beautifully supported me in this horrible trauma.  They all touched my heart and soul with their kindness and gave me such strength and courage.  God bless you all!

In lieu of flowers, in Bob Stachelek’s honor, a memorial donation can be made to: Deerfield Valley Rescue Post Office Box 854 22 Stowe Hill Rd. Wilmington, Vermont.  05363.  www.dvrescue.org

Their excellent and wonderful care for us was amazing, and extremely professional.  Our family is forever grateful for them all. There will be a private family service.