Robert Andrew Cicelski, 79 died at home in Manassas, VA from renal cancer after a lifelong battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Robert was born August 3, 1941 in Detroit, MI, to the late Andrew Cicelski and Julia York Cicelski. He married Karin Gessler on May 3, 1969 in Erlangen, Germany.
Robert served 21 years in the U.S Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. His military travels took him to Southeast Asia, Europe, Saudi Arabia and the majority of the United States. In recognition for his outstanding service he received the Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant, he worked as a Quality Assurance Engineer.
Robert will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather (Opa). He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Karin; his son, Paul Cicelski and his wife Lisa Glufling; his daughter Patricia Laitinen and her husband John Laitinen; and his grandchildren Stephen Laitinen and his wife Abigail Laitinen; Brandon Laitinen and his fiancé Blake Davis.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, his son Phillip Leo Cicelski and his four sisters, Diana Hayes, Rose McVey, Carol Richardson and Doris Cicelski.
Robert’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Hillside Hospice and the doctors and nurses at Walter Reed Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Hospital.
A funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert’s memory to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (https://pkdcure.org/).
