Obituary of Robert Charles Vodak

On Thursday morning, 12 June, 2014, Robert 'Bob' C. Vodak passed away peacefully at home with family in attendance, in the house he had built and lived for 55 years in Sylva, NC. Born 11 February, 1921 in Berwyn, IL, Robert was predeceased by his immediate family, father Joseph, mother Julia Johnson Vodak, brother Arthur; and his wife of 65 years, Martha Halle Vodak, whom he missed dearly over the past four years. Robert is survived by his four children, Michael of Manhattan, NY, Hannah of Swansboro, NC, Mark of New Egypt, NJ and Molly of Winston-Salem, NC, their respective spouses; two grandchildren, Amanda Vodak-Marotta of Burlington, VT and Wendy Vodak-Litten of Millstone Twp., NJ , their respective spouses; and great-grandson Jamie Litten. Bob completed two years at Morton Community College before his college career at Iowa State University was postponed when he was drafted into the army not long after the start of World War II. Following boot camp and officer training, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 780th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company, 8oth Infantry 'Blue Ridge' Division, seeing action throughout Europe. It was while stationed and training in Georgia, however, that he met the love of his life and soon wife-to-be, Martha Elizabeth Halle of Newton Falls, OH. They married 30 April, 1944, shortly before he shipped out for the war. On 20 January, 1945 in Grosbous, Luxembourg, First Lieutenant Robert Vodak was awarded the Bronze Star. He returned to civilian life later that year, although he continued serving for seven years in the army reserves, attaining the rank of captain before leaving the army. After returning home from the war, Bob resumed his college career, earning Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Masters of Forestry degrees from the University of Michigan in 1947 and 1948, respectively. Following graduation, he accepted a position with Mead Corporation where he worked in forest management and wood procurement for over 25 years in Mobile, AL, Cookeville, TN and Sylva, NC. He then worked as a consulting forester for almost 35 years. He was a member of the Society of American Foresters; a NC registered forester; active in the Association of Consulting Foresters; active in the NC Society of Consulting Foresters; recognized for service by the NC Forestry Association; a life member of the American Forestry Association; held real estate broker licenses in NC and SC; taught courses at Western Carolina University; and worked for several years in procurement for Jackson Paper. Bob was also active in the community, most notably, as a member of the Sylva Rotary Club for almost 57 years, recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1994; as a 28-year member of the Town of Sylva Board of Alcoholic Control, serving from 1967 to 1995; recognized for his service on the Jackson County Council on Alcoholism from 1983 to 1990; and as an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva for over 50 years, including singing in the choir for many years, where he was frequently asked to sing at weddings. Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva (appalachianfuneralservices.com; 828.586.2444) will handle the funeral arrangements for Robert 'Bob' C. Vodak. A 'celebration of life' is planned for 4:00pm, Tuesday, 17 June, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva to celebrate Bob's life. An informal reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in Bob Vodak's memory be made to either the Sylva Rotary Club (P.O. Box 465, Sylva, NC 28779) or the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva (46 Presbyterian, Sylva, NC 28779). . .