Robert “Bob” David Poiesz

Lived a Life Filled with Love -

Robert “Bob” David Poiesz, age 63, of Mechanicsburg, born in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 8, 1954, passed at home surrounded by the love of his family on Thursday, November 2, 2017.  Bob’s son, Mark, shares, “his battle with the terrible disease ALS came to an end.  He's a legend because his spirit was undaunted.  He refused to give in, even in the face of an illness that offered no hope.  He didn't yield an inch of his contagious, compulsive humor.  He summoned impossible strength until the very end in order to maintain ideals that most others would abandon.  He kept love and determination front and center while so many others would abandon them in the face of helplessness.  His spirit won.”

Bob graduated from La Salle University with a degree in Physics.  He worked for the American Medical Association as the Principal Policy Analyst from 2013 until his passing.  Bob did not define his life by his work but rather made sure that his philosophy of life shined through as he gave it his best.  From 1990 to 2017 Bob participated in the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 group developing standards regarding Healthcare transactions in which he was a leading national expert.  Through countless meetings across the country in 26 years, Bob served in many capacities, including co-chair, Vice-chair, liaison, coordinator, and representative for and between multiple committees and subcommittees.  His career culminated with similar work at the American Medical Association, despite his battle with ALS.  Through the years, Bob was always teaching others to navigate and understand processes.  He was recognized in 2016 with the Edward A. Guilbert Award for Lifetime Achievement.  For his co-workers, he will always be remembered for his logic, expertise, and humor.  In later years at home-based meetings, some had the privilege of enjoying his signature cheese omelet with all the trimmings.

Bob lived his faith and was actively involved in his church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg, where he was a member since 1991.  He was a supremely loving, devoted, and proud father.  He shared a truly deep and romantic love, which always seemed fresh and new, with his sweet heart and wife, Cathy.  He learned to love so deeply from his parents whose love was deep and true.  Bob enjoyed making people feel important and the focus of the moment.  Christmas was special in part because Bob thrilled watching others find joy, especially his family.  He loved to make people laugh but never at the expense of others.  Bob believed that for anything to have real meaning, it had to be attached to love.  Love is a choice that is continuously reaffirmed.

Bob’s survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 38 years, Catherine “Cathy” Resh Poiesz; his mother, Rosalie (Maffei) Poiesz of Roslyn; his three children: Major Robert Frederick Poiesz of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Mark Robert Poiesz and his wife, Carla, of Hermitage, TN, Cynthia “Cindy” Rose Poiesz of Mechanicsburg; his four siblings: Frank, Dave, Paul, Mary; and his numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

All are welcome to join Bob’s family at his Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, starting at 10:30 a.m. and at his reception and greeting of guests starting at 11:30 a.m. both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 310 Hertzler Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Msgr. William J. King celebrating.  Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.  Cremation was private.

The family sends their most heartfelt thanks to everyone at Homeland Hospice who so lovingly cared for Bob during his illness.  Contributions in celebration of Bob’s life can be made to Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg, PA 17110; or The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA  19002; or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 222 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Bob’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Bob’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

- Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

Bob's Joke for the Reception

So, it came to be a certain guy’s time, and he passed away.  Never having been certain about an afterlife, he was pleasantly surprised to find himself standing before a large building with big, solid oak doors, and a gentleman in a tux with a clipboard.  He thought, “Not too bad – so it’s not pearly gates and St. Peter.”

He went up to the doorman and gave his name.  The doorman checked his list and said, “Yes sir, we have your reservation.  Table 2, go right in please.”

He went in and found table 2 – right at center stage.  The seats were plush and very luxurious.  He picked up the menu that was on the table.  The heading read “Afterlife Comedy Club”.  The menu included all of his favorite foods, each listed as “no charge”.  The drink page had all of his favorite drinks and wines, again as “no charge”.  He thought to himself, “Now this is heaven!”  He had a huge smile on his face.

After a short while, he looked up to the stage when he heard the MC say, “Welcome to the Afterlife Comedy Club. I would like to introduce our headliner, and your entertainer for the rest of eternity.”  At that point, he saw a man starting to walk up to the front of the stage.  His smile disappeared and he thought, “CRAP, this isn’t heaven!”

The MC continued, “Please give a warm welcome to Bob Poiesz!”