MILLBROOK – Robert Kozlark, 85, a resident of Marco Island, FL and Millbrook, NY passed into eternal rest on Dec. 14, 2016. Robert, a son of the late Henry and the late Alice (Whalen) Kozlark, was born and grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanne R. Kozlark, daughter Dawn Perlman, of Vashon Island, WA, daughter Karen Rossi & husband Michael Rossi of Millbrook, NY, grandson Andrew Rossi & wife Emily, Granddaughter Janine Rossi, grandson Henry-John Perlman and great granddaughters Alice Rose & Wendy Grace Rossi.
Robert served in the US Navy, and was a veteran of the Korean war. He retired from IBM in 1985 after 30 years of employment. In 1962, while still working at IBM, he saw a need for better water treatment and started Portasoft Water Conditioning. Bob was very thankful for all the good things that came his way in life, and he turned these opportunities into many successes.
Bob was an avid Chess player and a lover of animals, especially dogs. Graced with lots of energy, and eternally youthful, he took up tennis at age 60, and played through the early part of his illness. The picture of health prior to his cancer diagnosis, he managed to keep pancreatic cancer at bay for 18-1/2 months.
Bob was out going by nature, and was known to strike up a conversation with anyone whose path crossed his. Sure enough, many of these new acquaintances became his good friends, who called him by the self-described nickname “Mr. Wonderful”. His sense of humor and friendship will be missed by all.
Many thanks to all of the care-workers at Castle Point VA Hospital and Hudson Valley Hospice who helped the family to keep him at home for his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie.
Friends and relatives are welcome to visit for calling hours at Allen Funeral Home, 3270 Franklin Ave., Millbrook, NY on Dec. 26th, 3:00-6:00pm. A funeral mass will be offered at St. Joseph’s Church, Millbrook, NY, on December 27th 10:00 am. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
