Robert (Bob) Nowak

On December 29, 2023, Robert (Bob) Allen Nowak, loving husband and father passed away peacefully at the age of 79. After surviving severe Guillaume-barre, and a year in hospital, Bob was able to come home Oct 2021. Bob had continuing paralysis, and was cared for lovingly by his wife Judy. Unfortunately, Bob was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in September 2022.

Bob was born on October 25, 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Frank and Marie Nowak. Bob and his older brother Tom spent their early childhood years in Milwaukee Wisconsin before moving to Minneapolis Minnesota when Bob was about six years old. After high school graduation in 1962, Bob joined the US Navy.

Bob married the love of his life, Judith Lenore Balken, on September 2, 1967 in Rothsay Minnesota where they resided before moving to Vancouver BC in 1969. Their only child Toby, was born on September 30, 1970.

In 1971, Bob, Judy and Toby were travelling to Calgary AB where Bob was going to start working selling engineered homes. They stopped in Nakusp BC to visit Bob‘s dear friend, Dr. Wish Game. After a few days in Nakusp, a nurse knocked on their door and asked if Judy was going to start nursing at the local hospital. They quickly fell in love with the area and people, and decided to stay for almost 30 years. Bob purchased and converted the historic Small Hall into the Trading Post, where he sold a variety of new and second-hand goods. Bob converted the Trading Post into the first Lord Minto, where he realized his dream of owning his own restaurant.

In the summer of 1976, Bob completed building an icosahedron dome where he and his family lived until 1989. In 1987 he opened the Broadway deli, which was another successful and vibrant restaurant. CBC radio agreed when they broadcasted a morning show from his deli. Much to the delight of Bob who was a regular listener.

In 1991, he built his dream home about 10 km south of Nakusp on a gorgeous sandy point where in 2002 his son Toby married his beautiful wife, Jennifer, in an incredible outdoor ceremony complete with fireworks.

In 2007, Bob and Judy sold their lake home and retired to Parksville on Vancouver Island. Toby, Jennifer, and their son Jackson followed a year later.

Bob was an incredible chef, inventor, artist, potter, glass blower, kite maker, musician, and all-around entertainer. His creativeness new, no bounds. He was an optimistic and upbeat man who always tried to  keep others joyful and at ease.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Judy, his son, Toby (Jennifer nee’ Jans) and grandson Jackson Robert. Also survived by his brother Thomas, wife Marianna (nee James) and their children Allison, Christopher and Andrea, his step mother Eunice Nowak, Bill Richardson, wife Saralee and her son Harold, and Sue and Denny Stribling. Bob was pre-deceased by his father, Frank and mother Marie.

Thank you to all the care aides, home care nurses, rehab department, and Bobs case Manager Shawn for all their compassionate caregiving over the last 2 years.