Bogdan "Bob" Japundza

Bogdan "Bob" Japundza, 53, of Kokomo, passed away on December 20, 2025, at IU Health North Hospital in Carmel, IN. Born on April 2, 1972, in Gary, Indiana, he was the beloved son of Nikola and Mira Japundza. On September 25, 1999, he married Kristen Grider, and she survives. He was a 1990 graduate of Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University.

Bob was a talented and experienced Lead Software Engineer at Allegion, although anyone who spoke to him quickly understood his greatest passion was aviation. He earned his private pilot’s license by the age of 16, later obtaining additional ratings and certifications including his instrument rating, commercial pilot’s license, and certified flight instructor (CFI, CFII). He was actively obtaining his multi-engine rating. He amassed thousands of hours of flying between trips to Oshkosh and Sun’N’Fun, Sunday morning breakfasts, cross-country trips, and anything else he could find an excuse for.

He held an aviation mechanic certification (A&P) with inspection authorization (IA) and was an active member of the experimental aircraft community. He built an RV-6 in 2000 and was nearly finished with an F-1 Rocket. His name lives in the logbooks of hundreds of airplanes.

Above all, Bob loved his family and was so proud of each his children for their accomplishments. In addition to his wife Kristen, he is survived by their three children Ethan Japundza (Alyssa Nuzzi), Evan Japundza (Anna Lewandowski), and Lauren Japundza; his parents Nick and Mira Japundza; mother-in-law Marcia Grider; brother-in-law Scott Grider; niece Brooklyn Symons; extended family in Serbia; many special friends and colleagues; and his beloved dogs Piper, Lucy, and Rosie.

He was preceded in death by his sister Donna Japundza Henley and father-in-law Albert V. Grider Jr.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on December 29, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM with services immediately following at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, IN. Anyone who wishes to share a funny story or favorite memory will have an opportunity to do so. A fly-in Celebration of Life will be held later in the spring with details to be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to Pilots N Paws, 4651 Howe Rd. Landrum, SC 29356 or the charity of your choice.