Obit: Nawrocki, Robert D. – Pfc. (1949? – 1968)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Nawrocki, Nendza, McBride, Prokop, Barry, Terrell, Ryan, Schubert, Voss

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 29 Feb 1968

Nawrocki, Robert D. – Pfc. (1949? – 24 JAN 1968)

Hundreds of former classmates of one of Mount Greenwood's most popular young men, Pfc. Robert D. Nawrocki, 19, Chicago, Ill., together with Boy Scouts of St. Christina's School and students and Scouts of Morgan Park High School joined the Felix Nawrocki family and other relatives and family friends Feb. 12 in the last sad rites for the young Marine. He is the grandson of Mrs. Anna Nendza of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.).

Pfc. Nawrocki was killed Jan. 24, 1968 in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, when the truck in which he was riding exploded. He was a radio operator.

The requiem mass was offered in St. Christina's Catholic Church where Pfc. Nawrocki had been baptized and confirmed. The Rev. John McBride, assistant pastor, so moved by the tragic death of one of his favorite parishioners, could scarcely keep the tears out of his voice as he paid the Mt. Greenwood boy loving tribute.

Father McBride told how everyone in Mt Greenwood – the whole neighborhood – were justly proud of this wonderful young man. He stressed the fact that his ideals, his willingness to serve in all ways for the good, his leadership among boys as he grew up, his loving kindness to his dear family were rare, indeed, to find in one person.

The grieving priest also told how Pfc. Nawrocki enlisted in the Marines and went feely to serve proudly, wearing the uniform of a Marine. The young marine was in Vietnam just 23 days when he was killed. Flags were flown at half-mast and homes of neighbors were draped in mourning Monday for their neighbor and friend.

Pallbearers, lifelong buddies of Pfc. Nawrocki were: Daniel J. Prokop, Kevin Barry, Thomas J. Terrell, Terence W. Ryan, Robert Schubert and Edward J. Voss.

In addition to his parents, Pfc. Nawrocki leaves a younger sister, Judy. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, where taps was sounded by the Marine Honor Guard's buglers.