Obituary of Robert W. Salankiewicz

Our beloved Father & Dziadziu, Robert W. Salankiewicz, 88, passed away on June 10, 2025. Born July 5, 1936, in Ford City, PA, to the late Walter and Stephanie (Solak) Salankiewicz. Robert was predeceased by his wife of 61 years Dorothy (Dollie), sister, Stephanie Ann (Salankiewicz) Altman, and brother-in-law Arthur (Ted) Breuer. Robert is survived by daughters Lee Ann and husband Michael Matyas, Diane Salankiewicz & son Robert (Bobby) & wife Maria (Lalley), along with his 3 grandsons Mark, Matthew & wife (Anna), and Maxwell Salankiewicz. Also surviving is his sister, Janet (Ted) Breuer; brother-in-law, Dr. Hal Altman, along with nieces, Dr. Gwen Breuer, Dr. Sarah Altman (Dr. Ali Siavashi) and Alison (Amir) Shahravar. Robert is a graduate from Ford City High School, PA, where he was a 3-year letterman and starter on the Varsity Basketball team. He earned All-State and Section 1 WPIAL Player of the Year in the 1953-54 season. Upon graduation in 1954, he was awarded a scholarship to attend and play basketball at Bucknell University. He graduated with a B.S. Civil Engineering in 1958. After graduation from college, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He served in the Reserves for 15 years, attaining the rank of Major. Robert began his professional career with the New York State Health Department, before transferring to the Broome County Health Department. He served as the Chief Engineer of Community Development facilitating projects for the Binghamton Urban Renewal Department. Robert also spent 5 years as a Facilities Engineer at General Electric Company in Johnson City, before retiring in 1999 as a Program Manager with the New York State Department of Transportation. Robert dedicated 50+ years to the Broome Tioga ARC and Achieve on the Board of Directors. He served as President for two terms and served as chair of the residential committee. He was President of the Parish Council and served as a Trustee at the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Binghamton. He also was a member/chair on the Johnson City planning board for several years. Robert spent years coaching CYO Basketball for Blessed Sacrament of Johnson City at the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Grammer School levels. He also coached baseball for J.F. Rice in the Johnson City Pony League program. Bob was inducted into the Armstrong County (PA) sports hall of fame in 2004 in recognition of accomplishments during his high school playing career. Bob and Dollie realized the dream of their lifetime visiting Poland in 2007 to explore his Polish heritage. His children will always remember him as a supportive, caring and generous father. Most notable is the lifetime care & sacrifice that he & Dollie provided for their handicapped daughter, Diane. He was also an inspiration by his determination and resilience shown throughout his 19-year struggle with a devastating spinal cord injury sustained from a car accident in 2005. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all those people who helped care for Robert, especially during this last year. Dobrze spedzone zycie! A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church, Clubhouse Road, Vestal, Wednedsay June 18, 2025 at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City, The family will receive friends at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church, Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a One Time Donation in Bob's memory to the Achieve 2025 Annual Appeal at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/annualappeal2025