Ronald Stephen Bobik

Ronald Stephen Bobik, 82, affectionately known as Papa, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024.  Ron was born in Barnesboro, PA on October 16, 1941, one of 12 children of Stephen and Julianna (Lukasko) Bobik.  He graduated from Barnesboro High School and moved to Chicago to study electronics and moved to Washington, DC in the early 1960s. He lived most of his life in Rockville, MD and resided in Urbana since 2019.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Freda (Knoch) Bobik who passed away in 2013 and his siblings except for Raymond Bobik of Northern Cambria, PA.   Ron is survived by his children, Paul Bobik (Christina) and Linda Ugast (Fred), grandchildren Frederick Ugast, Lindsay Ugast (Brian Goodling), Michelle Bobik, Anna Mary Ugast and Justin Bobik; step-grandchildren Christopher Sullivan (Katie), Lauren Cullen (Christopher), Shawn Tyser and Mary Tyser.  He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Nicole Muhne, Ari Goodling-Ugast and Scarlett Waggoner.

After high school Ron attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago in the field of electronics.  Ron began his long career in electronics repairing televisions, slot machines and all kinds of radios.  Soon he was managing teams of engineers designing and building sophisticated communications systems for governments and corporations when he moved to the Maryland area.  In June 1968 he married his beloved wife, Freda Mae Knoch.  He worked for CEI Corporation in Bethesda, Maryland, was Vice-president and co-founder of the R.E. Grimm Company in Rockville and served in senior roles at Watkins-Johnson in Gaithersburg, MD. Despite his management abilities and responsibilities, he always preferred to be at his workbench designing and troubleshooting equipment.  He entered a second career as a property manager for various estates which he thoroughly enjoyed.  Ron could fix almost anything (a real jack of all trades) and enjoyed carpentry, wood-working, construction, and building things—particularly if it was for one of his children or grandchildren.

Ron loved symphony music since his days in the marching band and Drum and Bugle Corp. in Barnesboro.  Throughout his life he enjoyed concerts and frequently traveled to hear symphonies and orchestras in Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, not to mention Washington DC and Wolf Trap.  He enjoyed the Outer Banks of North Carolina, not so much for the ocean as much as just being with friends and family for an extended period.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Etchison Memorial Chapel of the

Keeney & Basford Funeral Homes, P.A. 106 E Church Street, Frederick, Maryland,  21701 where a Celebration of Ronald's Extraordinary Life will commence at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be graveside, Monday, February 5, 2024 11:30 a.m. at the Parklawn Memorial Park, 12500 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20853.