Obituary of Robert W Ziemba

Robert (Bob) W. Ziemba, of Owego, NY, passed away on May 10 2017. The son of Liva (Eldred) and Stanley Ziemba, he is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carol, his sons John (Kim), Michael (Ann), and Robert (Brenda), and his grandchildren Hailey, Sydney, Danielle and Michelle. He is predeceased by his brother Joseph and sister Mary and survived by his sisters Helen and Dolores. Born the son of a farmer's daughter and a migrant farm hand, he was raised on the family farm in a dirt floor farmhouse. After graduating from Union Endicott in 1955, he joined the US Air Force and proudly served throughout the US and the South Pacific. It was during this time that Bob developed his life long love for flying machines. It was also during this time that Bob met the love of his life, Carol, whilst serving at Mitchell Field. Returning home from his military service, Bob worked for Crown Industries before accepting an apprenticeship with IBM. For the next 29 years he worked his way through the ranks of machinist, and mechanic, finally retiring as an electrical engineer. He then nearly succeeded in his goal to be retired longer than he worked, often commenting on how he didn't know where he had ever found the time to work. Bob continued his passion for flying, managing to fly on everything from a WW1 bi-plane, to WW2 fighters and bombers, to gliders, hot-air balloons, and acrobatic aircraft. He also spent every moment he could outdoors, enjoyed golfing, softball, fishing, boating, old tractors, volunteering, and most importantly, walking with "his" dog Frodo. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 11AM from the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home LLC, 765 Main St, Vestal. The Rev. Cynthia Wenzinger pastor of his Church will officiate. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park with full military honors. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Saturday morning from 9AM until Service time at 11. In lieu of flowers contributions my be made in his memory to The Muscular Dystrophy Association , 6315 Fly Rd, Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057.