Robert Michael Dudek

Bob was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on July 29, 1957, to the late Dr. Lee J. Dudek and Anne Rohowetz Dudek. He had three siblings, Thomas, Michael, and the late Carolyn Dudek. After his family moved to Columbia, Bob attended St. Joseph’s School and Cardinal Newman High School, where he played varsity basketball. He then received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism.

While in college, Bob’s parents wanted him to live at home. Bob declined. In addition to taking a full courseload and sports writing for the Gamecock, Bob worked a nearly 40-hour week as a manager at Hardee’s so he could live on campus. It was at Hardee’s that he met Valerie while working on the burger line. Luckily, Bob and Valerie would pursue careers outside of fast food after college while enjoying nearly 40 years of marriage.

Following college, Bob was a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer in Alaska. He received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. After some time with South Carolina Legal Services, Bob went to work at the South Carolina Office of Appellate Defense in 1990, where he tirelessly fought for those without the means to afford criminal appellate representation, including those facing the death penalty. In 2010, he became the Chief Appellate Defender. Over the span of his long career, Bob advocated for his clients in over 350 oral arguments, and he was the counsel of record in over 400 published appellate opinions.

Bob could appear to be reserved, but he had a sharp wit and an interesting sense of humor. He loved the law, but the people more. Bob enjoyed working with fellow attorneys, coworkers, opposing counsel, judges, and courthouse staff. He was particularly committed to sharing his encyclopedic legal knowledge with young attorneys and mentoring them on how to be better advocates for their clients. As part of this passion, Bob helped create and oversee the Appellate Practice Project, a program that gives private practice lawyers the opportunity to handle indigent appeals and gain valuable appellate experience.

Bob was a prolific speaker at conferences and continuing legal education programs. Everyone always looked forward to his case law update at the annual public defenders’ conference. Bob died from a stroke just hours before he was scheduled to speak at a trial skills workshop in Greenville.

Bob was so proud of his son, Ben. He would have done anything for Ben. Bob and Ben enjoyed spending time together supporting the Gamecocks and the Green Bay Packers, discussing law and politics, and joking around. Ben will miss his dad so much, especially their annual trips to Green Bay that Bob insisted they take in late December to fully experience the Packers playing on the frozen tundra. Bob also dearly loved his two young grandchildren, Blake and Mary Claire Dudek. They will miss their “Dudek” at their standing Sunday breakfasts with their grandmother “Nana.”

A visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street in Columbia on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Devine Street on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. A private interment for the family will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bob to the University of South Carolina School of Law’s Public Interest Law Loan Forgiveness Fund. Donations may be made online at https://donate.sc.edu/MemoryOfRobertDudek, or by check made payable to the USC Educational Foundation Reference Number Fund #B11010 and mailed to 1600 Hampton Street, Suite 738, Columbia, South Carolina 29208.