Robert (Bob) William Zumbek

Robert William Zumbek (Bob) was born June 25, 1940, the third child of Rose Murczek and Stanley Zumbek. He grew up in Chicago Illinois with his siblings Stanley, Audrey, and Arlene. He was taught to work hard and had a paper route at age 7. He also helped raise poultry to add to the fresh vegetables from his dad's garden. He did not like weeding the garden, but loved the Polish meals his mom prepared from the fruits of his labor.

Bob loved his years at Revis High School. He developed friendships that lasted throughout his life. And had fun memories of the library with its enormous fireplace and stuffed chairs, of wrestling on the wrestling team, and of attending dances with his friends. He continued to work through Junior High and High School. He was responsible for purchasing his own clothes and buying his first car.

Bob began working for Lee's Carpet which was later acquired by Burlington Industries when he was 19-years-old. He would continue there for his entire career of 44 years. While working for Lee's in Chicago he was offered a position in Los Angeles in 1968 where he became the plant manager. In 1993 he moved to headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina and stayed until he retired in 2003.

In addition to his regular job Bob also loved working for USC doing crowd control for basketball and football games. He worked 40 Rose Bowl games including many National Championship Games. And loved having family and friends work alongside him. In 1984 the Olympics were held in Los Angeles and Bob ran the Fullerton venue for Men's European Handball and attended the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

One of the greatest joys of Bob's life were his two boys Kenneth and Jeffry who he had with his first wife Bonnie. In their childhood he coached sports teams, helped out with Boy Scout Troops, and taught them to fish. Bob loved taking his boys on summer vacation and fishing on each trip. He was very proud that his boys went on to earn college degrees, marry wonderful women, and become loving fathers. When Bob's boys were nearly raised, he married Norma in 1982 and gained four young step-children. Michael, Jason, Tiffany, and Pamela. He was a loving stepfather who worked hard to provide for his family.

Bob also had a generous spirit. He organized the renovation of a half-way house, leading the installation of new carpet. He also did the same for an elderly woman at church. His generous acts of service to his friends as well as through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints touched many lives and lifted many spirits.

Bob began planning for retirement at age 18 and enjoyed traveling throughout his retired years with his dear wife Norma. In addition to cruises all over the world, they visited 401 National Parks in their motor home. Bob was a collector of many things but the collection he was most proud of were his National Park pins.

Bob also spent his retirement enjoying his twenty-one grandchildren. He loved vacationing with them and supporting them in their many activities. They brought so much pride and joy to his life. And he always wanted them to know that "Nobody loves you like your Grandpa".

Bob succumbed to advance Alzheimer's on November 16, 2022.

Bob is survived by his wife, Norma; his children, Kenneth (Chris) Zumbek, Jeffry (Chantell) Zumbek, Michael (Deborah) Fletcher, Jason (Kristi) Fletcher, Tiffany Fletcher and Pamela (Charles) Nickerson; by twenty-one grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and by his two sisters, Audrey (Peter) Luck and Arlene Avonts. He is preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Rose, by his brother Stanley and by a brother-in-law, Bob Avonts.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6140 W. Wilson St., Banning, CA 92220. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 800 East, Preston, Idaho.  The services will be live streamed and may be watched Tuesday at 11 am (MST) by clicking on the following link:

https://youtu.be/SA76Pm-d370

A visitation will be held Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home prior to services.  Interment will be in the Weston, Idaho Cemetery.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com