Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lee Urbanski

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lee Urbanski was born August 6, 1930 and passed away on July 20, 2016. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Margarete Gretel Urbanski; Parents, John Anthony Urbanski and Iva Geraldine Eytcheson; Brother, John Anthony Urbanski, Jr.; Son in law, William Michael Smithey. He was survived by his children: Janice Urbanski Smithey, Gary Urbanski and wife Jeannette, Donna Urbanski Ellis and husband Randy, Mark Urbanski, Danny Urbanski, Jimmy Urbanski and wife Kelli and Sandy Urbanski; 21 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren to be; Siblings: Ray Urbanski and wife MaryAnn, Joe Urbanski and wife Pat, Bill Wennberg and wife Kim and Judi Mathias and husband Russ; His sweetheart of 8 years, Wanda Smith; Aunt, Grace Swingler, Sister in Law, Ilse Brand, Brother in law Klaus Worel, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends including his Military family at the American Legion, Post 507. Robert “Bob” accomplished many things in his life. He was a true example of a leader and a genuinely good man. At the young age of 18, after losing his father he joined the Military in order to provide for his mother and his, at the time, three younger siblings. During his Military Service, which included 1 year in the United States Air Force and 20 years of service in the United States Army; he traveled and was stationed in many locations. Some of those places included Austria, Germany; where he met the love of his life Marge and married her in 1956, Missouri, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas and Viet Nam where he fought in the war to defend the country that he loved so very much, America. He raised 7 children with his wife and always showed what a true father is. Someone you could count on, lean on, trust. Though he was stern, he was gentle. He had eyes that showed love and compassion and a hand that you felt secure when holding. Among many of the positions he held in the Military, he was a Sgt. 1st Class. He was an Army Ranger, Military Police Officer and Radio Operator. He was an expert marksman and sharp shooter. He Retired after 21 years of dedicated service to the Military. He was a very active member in the American Legion where he served as the auditor, then moved on to become the 1st Vice Commander. We were told he still holds the record of selling more memberships than anyone ever has. When he set his mind to doing something, there was no stopping him. He worked for many years as a bus driver with Dallas Transit, sold insurance for Metropolitan Life, owned an Air Condition Company and his own Ambulance Company, Ambucare Patient Transfer. He became an EMT to help others. At the young age of 82 he started studying to become a paralegal, which he no doubt would have completed had he not had a major stroke in 2013. In spite of his stroke, he lived. Not just survived, but he truly lived. Even though he could no longer express himself with words, it didn’t prevent him from using a tape measure and supervise as his family planted trees on his land in Wills Point, that he picked out himself in the EXACT location he wanted them. He learned his own sign language and he would still let you know HE was the boss. He read his entire life. From the entire set of encyclopedias to reading the Bible in it’s entirety twice.He strongly believed that it is never too late to learn and accomplish your goals and dreams. You ask… what is a hero? Our father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, brother in law, uncle, cousin, sweet heart and friend, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lee Urbanski. Inurnment scheduled for 10:00AM Saturday July 30, 2016 at Laurel Oaks Memorial Park.