WESTFIELD – Robert Jachym, “Bob – Bobby – Jach”, of Westfield is someone we will all miss incredibly. He was the “cat’s ass”, who waged war with an aggressive form of cancer—which he sadly lost. If you knew him and his competitive nature, he so badly wanted to win. Bob was born in Sharon, PA to the late Edmund and Helen Jachym, who he loved to the moon and back. He grew up in Westfield with his sister Beverly, who he adored. He called her “Sister Beverly”, because he said that when you have the most loving, kind and giving human as a sister, they should be a nun. (His way of saying she was the best.) Beverly married Daniel O’Brien who Bob called “The Man”. They traveled together, and laughed and loved uncontrollably together. Beverly never left Bob’s side through this nightmare.
Bob was an amazing athlete who also took an interest in airplanes. He decided in 1967 to join the Air Force with his best friend Frank Cwirka (who later was to be the best man in his wedding). In the Air Force, he learned how to fly planes and afterwards, became an aircraft mechanic for US Airways for over 30 years.
On October 4, 1975, Bob married the love of his life, Noreen “Toots”, and they would have celebrated their 44th anniversary this year. Bob would tell anyone who would listen how fabulous and perfect Toots is and would always give a fun or serious example: her love for him and his golfing; his love for her and her shopping with Beverly (who just so happens to be her best friend); her love for the grandkids; her being a perfectionist and being kind to everyone she meets. He called her his angel! “She’s the glue that holds our family together and even extended family, and God I love her. She’s. The. Best. Bob and Toots xoxo.”
Bob leaves his children, Mark Jachym (Liz Emmett) and Amanda Rogers, who he was so proud of he would scream it from the rooftops—or at least the 9th hole. They were his pride and joy. His kids were, in his words, “Something to write home about.” He was their hero and the love of their lives. He considered Travis Rogers as a son and played many, many rounds of golf with him, built cribs and playscapes (which only took 15 hours), and, most importantly, shared many laughs, hugs, and eye rolls.
Bob’s three grandchildren Erin Jachym and Paisley & Piper Rogers were what lit up his life.
He mastered the art of the ponytail many years ago when he had his special Wednesdays seeing his first granddaughter Erin off to school. He loved to watch her swim from the minute Mark taught her in great-grandpa’s pool, to her joining the swim team and exhibiting that intense, competitive Jachym gene. They had one special relationship, that’s for sure. Twelve years later, Bob was reminded how it was to have a colicky baby like his daughter Amanda had been. His “Paisley Pants” arrived loud and proud and Bob put on his super grandpa cape and learned how to read the paper while rocking her with his foot, talking about sports and how to work a mower while giving his daughter a break. They had a special bond immediately. He just finished teaching her the proper softball stance in April where she nailed the ball and you could hear his famous “Yoooooo baby!” Piper called him “Bompa” and he left too soon for her to master the G. She gave him a run for his money when he would watch her alone when Toots would bring Paisley to school. He even changed diapers! He always said, “She really just owns the room, doesn’t she?” They were a team.
Lastly, Bob would like to remind everyone: “Slow is cool.” Memorial service for Bob will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 pm at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street in Westfield. Calling hours will be held before the service from 10-1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, 3350 Main Street, Springfield, MA. 01107.
