OBITUARY INFORMATION FROM DIGNITY MEMORIAL WEBSITE:
Robert Allen Popaditch (80), “Poppy”, went to be with the Lord on December 23, 2023. He was born June 22, 1943, in Gary Indiana. Raised in Hobart, Indiana, he attended Hobart High School proudly playing football for the “Brickies” and graduating in 1961. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State where he met the love of his life Suzanne Day; they were married in 1965. Bob went on to earn his MBA from Western Michigan graduating in 1967. He was a proud member of the Delta Chi fraternity.
Bob was industrious and hard-working his entire life. At a young age Bob worked as a stock clerk for Jewel Food Stores and continued to this work through his undergraduate degree, earning his way to upper management. After graduating with his master’s degree Bob and Suzanne moved to Chicago where Bob moved through the Jewel executive management program becoming the Vice President of Marketing. Bob and Suzanne lived in LaGrange, Illinois where they welcomed their only child Robert Scott in 1969.
With a strong desire to build his own business, Bob left Jewel in 1979 and moved to Orlando, Florida where he opened the Thrifty Scott Warehouse Foods chain, and a newspaper circular titled the Thrifty Shopper. In 1992, Bob and his son Scott co-founded the Southeastern Division of Serv Corp. The company quickly became the largest regional Marketing company in the Southeast.
Bob was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He loved golf, football, family and Motown Music. He retired in 2008, shifting his focus to entertaining friends and family at his homes in North Carolina and Florida. Bob was extremely generous and humble. In the words of a dear friend, “Life afforded him a myriad of experiences that helped to form his character. He had a heart full of generosity. He sensed the needs of others and willingly offered aid to those who would accept it. He had the courage and tenacity to weather whatever storms arose and did so with grace. He was an inspiration to many, especially his family. In this spirit, his family lovingly called him the ‘Wise Owl’.”
He leaves behind his only child Robert Scott, daughter-in-law Gwen, his beloved grandchildren Michelle (27) of Tampa and Robert Thomas (25) of Seattle, and his sister Laura Erbe of Crown Pointe, IN. He is preceded in death by his wife Suzanne (nee: Day) Popaditch and sister Linda Jennings.
His positivity, encouragement and vibrant smile will be missed forever but never forgotten.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Poppy’s devotion and love for his wife Suzanne. Donations can be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, 2180 W State Road 434, Suite 1100, Longwood, FL 32779.
This information and picture were obtained from:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/winter-park-fl/robert-popaditch-11599754.