Robert Zeberkiewicz

Robert (Bob) Zeberkiewicz, age 78, of Sylvania, Ohio passed away October 3rd, 2021 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio with his family at his side after a courageous battle with multiple serious illnesses. Robert was born December 19, 1942 in Toledo, Ohio to Alexander and Irene (Hajduk) Zeberkiewicz. Born to a Polish immigrant family that spoke little English, he learned to speak fluent Polish and grew up in the Polish American Community of Toledo, Ohio. After attending St. Adalbert Catholic School, he graduated from Woodward High School. Robert joined the Army National Guard after high school while starting his sales career. Robert worked as a salesman his entire career. Beginning as a small appliance salesman at Sears, he worked his way to Sales Manager of Appliances at Montgomery Ward. Continuing his sales career, he moved into automobile sales. Robert created an extremely successful career, becoming nationally recognized, receiving multiple top sales awards, including several trips to Hawaii and Marco Island, FL. He finished his sales career and retired from George Ballas Buick. Robert married the love of his life, Sharon Gliatti on April 11, 1963 in Toledo, Ohio. After nearly 57 years of marriage, Sharon preceded Robert in death by only 8 months. Robert will be remembered for a quick wit, and an easy-going sense of humor inherited from his father. Always ready with a joke, he was a delight to his family and friends. He was never shy about giving a friendly word of advice, usually followed by a good cliché such as “Take Care of Number One.” He was a “gadget guy,” always embracing and appreciating the newest technologies. He adored dogs (especially Yorkshire terriers), and had them his whole life. An avid photographer; photos of Robert are a little hard to find as he was always the one behind the camera. He enjoyed going to the movies, dining out, and traveling. He was a classic car enthusiast, his favorite being a 1953 Studebaker. He loved taking short car rides, to Maumee Bay State Park in particular, to view deer, trees and water at its finest glory in all seasons. Robert was recently a resident of Charter Senior Living of Oak Openings before illness began to overtake him. After only 3 months, his engaging personality made a lasting impression on the other residents, and he became very popular at the facility. He will be missed by the friends he quickly made there. Robert is survived by his daughters, Lisa (Timothy) Gulley, and Laura (Ethan) Prill. Robert’s love for his surviving grandsons, Alexander Gulley and Joseph Zackary Wester, knew no boundaries. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Timothy Gulley, Ryan Prill, Dakota Prill, and Kiana Prill. Born an only child, he grew up with surviving close cousins who were more like siblings, Randi (Hajduk) Thorson, and Patricia (Bal) Ray. Robert is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as lifelong friends. Walker Funeral Home on Sylvania Avenue in Toledo, OH has been entrusted to provide final arrangements. A Celebration of Robert’s life will be held October 23, 2021, at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Road) Toledo, OH where the family will receive friends beginning at 11AM until the time of a sharing service at 2PM. For those unable to join us in person, please join us via livestream. Please reach out to a family member for the link. In lieu of flowers, Robert’s family asks that donations be made in Robert’s memory to National Kidney Foundation, (https://www.kidney.org) St. Jude Children’s Hospital, (https://www.stjude.org) Hospice of Northwest Ohio, (https://www.hospicenwo.org) or to your local animal shelter. Robert’s family wishes that family and friends remember him by embracing a saying he recently improvised: “Yesterday is gone, Today is here, and Tomorrow is coming.” Online memorials and tributes may be left on his tribute wall, accessible through the tab near the top of this page.