Robert James Karwoski

The world lost a great man on May 11, 2024, Robert (Bob) Karwoski. He was one-of-a-kind; the strongest, funniest, and most determined person you’ll ever meet. Robert was a positive and steady influence in so many lives, but his most important legacy is his wife and son. Robert was born in Stamford, Connecticut and was the product of immigrant grandparents from Italy and Poland. He departed this mortal plane with a life he described in his own words as “a good life with zero regrets.” So, if he ever made fun of you, just know that, even in the end, he didn’t regret it. In his early years, Robert aspired to become an architect, but the Vietnam war changed his trajectory. While serving his country, his APC drove over a landmine, sending shrapnel into his body, destroying his neck, and killing his best friends. The physical injuries were not the only lasting effects from the war. Robert had been exposed to Agent Orange, which would prove to be an insurmountable hurdle. The effects from the exposure plagued him the rest of his life, but you’d never know it. He wouldn’t let you. Despite his health, he persevered. After leaving Vietnam, Robert went to work for National Cash Register and later Computer Optics as a computer technician, which led him to Indianapolis, where he could take care of Marion County’s NCIC computer. While working for Computer Optics, the Sheriff remarked that only a sworn deputy or police officer could legally be around the NCIC computer. As you would expect, Bob replied, “I’m the only person that can work on this. So, either make me a deputy, or enjoy the Stone Age.” Off to the police academy Robert went. Robert started as a deputy on September 23, 1978, ascended to the highest rank of Major, and retired as a Captain on June 4, 2007. In retirement, Robert spent the majority of his time doing what he loved: finding others that needed his help, helping them however he could, and making fun of them in the process (yin and yang, I guess). If you knew him, surely something you needed in your life was greatly improved, but you also don’t take yourself as seriously anymore. His wit was sharply honed, and his pranks were as detailed and toiled-over as a space shuttle launch. There were many moving parts to his pranks, and it was a masterpiece when they all came together. The goal was to laugh, and he did that more deeply and harder than most. In 2022, some good friends of Robert’s signed him up for the Indy Honor Flight, and off he went to Washington, D.C. He had the best time there visiting the Vietnam Memorial. He got to say hello to some lost friends and even make some new ones. Soon after his visit to D.C., Agent Orange reared its ugly head again. He was stricken with esophageal cancer that spread to the stomach, and later to the pancreas, while simultaneously taking out the liver. His diagnosis, as you can imagine, was met head on with jokes. The fight he put up was awe-inspiring. The war against cancer he experienced would have taken all of you reading this out within a week of the diagnosis, but he persevered. When the doctors said he wouldn’t survive surgery, he did it anyway and persevered. Even after the doctors explained there was nothing further they could do, he persevered, exceeding all their deadlines. When there appeared to be nothing left, and his family was exhausted for him, he still persevered. Heroes like Robert live forever in the wake of their good deeds and in the hearts of those helped along the way. Zero regrets, laughs, and perseverance is how he will be remembered. Robert Karwoski leaves behind his wife Lena Karwoski, son Jeff Karwoski, daughter-in-law Lindsay Karwoski, a brother Alex (Angela) Karwoski, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews (you all know who you are). He was preceded in death by his mother and father (Alex and Esther) and his sister (Myrna Bardeen). Services for Robert will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts, food, or the like, please make a donation in Robert Karwoski’s name to the Indy Honor Flight. For those that don’t know, Indy Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials dedicated to them while treating them like kings. Veterans also receive letters from friends, family, and school children thanking them for the sacrifices veterans and their friends endured at the altar of freedom. Veterans get this and so much more at no cost to them. IHF only survives on donations. Before he left us, Robert wanted to make sure to donate his own money so that at least 1 more person could have the same experience he had. Indy Honor Flight P.O. Box 10 Plainfield, Indiana, 46168 Or donate through the website: https://indyhonorflight.org/donate/