Robert Puchalski

Robert “Bob” M. Puchalski, 76, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Chambersburg Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 5, 1939 in Plymouth, PA, in the home of his late maternal grandparents, Joseph and Sophia Olshefski. He was the son of the late Helen (Olshefski) and Adam Puchalski.

Bob was a 1957 graduate of Plymouth Senior High School. In his sophomore year, he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard, Company D, 109th Infantry Division, where he served as a Squad Leader and was given an Honorable discharge as Corporal for the purpose of enlisted duty in the United States Army.

Bob trained at Ft. Jackson, SC and Ft. Gordon, GA. He was with the Electronics of Missiles and Special Assignments at Ft. Bliss, TX. He went on to serve as a non-commissioned officer in charge of classified documents with the 7th Army Headquarters at Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany. He served his country with two tours of duty in Germany, two tours of duty in Vietnam, and one in Korea. He served as Operations Sergeant of the Emergency Actions Element of the National Military Command Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, DC. He was selected and graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. He took the Adjutant General Officer’s Basic Course at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN, and transferred to the Chief of the Office of Personnel at Headquarters United Nations Command and Headquarters, 8th Army, Yongsan, Korea. He was assigned as Chief of Personnel Actions and Congressional Inquiries, Headquarters US Army Europe and 7th Army Troops in Heidelberg, Germany. There he was commissioned as Captain. He was assigned as Company Commander and Adjutant of the Army Concept Team in Long Binh, Vietnam and was then assigned to serve as Chief of Administration, Office of the Adjutant General Headquarters, 25th Infantry Divisions, Cu Chi, Vietnam. In 1972-1973, Bob was Adjutant of the New Cumberland Army Depot, New Cumberland, PA and was then transferred as an Operations and Special Project Officer at Randolph Air Force Base, TX. He held his last tour of duty as Provost Marshal and Company Commander at the US War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA, where Bob retired from his military career with the rank of Captain in 1977.

His military decorations were the Bronze Star; two Meritorious Service Medals; two Joint Service Commendation Medals; three Army Commendation Medals; Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Joint Chiefs of Staff Medal; Armed Forces Reserved Medal; and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Oak Leaf Cluster; and numerous Military and Federal Civil Service commendation and certificates.

While serving the military, Bob received a degree in Economics and Computer Science at San Antonio Community College, San Antonio, TX, and Business Administration and Foreign Languages at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.

In 1978, Bob resumed his employment with the Federal Civil Service, in the Directorates of Supply and Maintenance, and as a Senior Analyst and Consultant for the US Army Security Assistance Command, New Cumberland Army Depot, New Cumberland, PA. In 1985 to 1996, he transferred to a Senior Program and Management Analyst, Major Item Information Center, LOGSA, Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, PA. In July of 1996, he was transferred due to BRAC and worked as the Contracts Coordinator and Planner with the Strategic Plans Office, LOGSA at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama, where he retired in August 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria (Rice) Puchalski of Chambersburg; son, Bruce Puchalski of Chambersburg; son Robert, Jr. and wife Diane of Edwardsville, PA; granddaughters, Melissa Puchalski of West Pittston, PA, Sara Puchalski of Wyoming, PA, Dana Puchalski of Edwardsville, PA, and Tessa Puchalski of Kington, PA; one brother, Richard “Rich” Puchalski of Pulaski, NY; and a niece, Cathy Puchalski of Pulaski, NY.

He was a lifetime member of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW and Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion. His hobbies and interests were fishing, boating, gardening, personal computers, and his love for his precious little dog, Abby. Bob was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church where he served as an usher and was a member of the Christ’s Crusaders Sunday School class.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church, 2509 Black Gap Road, Chambersburg, PA, where Rev. Garry Culler will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with military honors by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Bob Puchalski, to the Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church, 2509 Black Gap Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Robinson of Grove Cancer & Hematology Center and the staff for their wonderful care given during these past five years. The family wishes to express their appreciation and thanks to friends and Rev. Garry Culler for all your visits, prayers, and cards during Bob’s illness. May God Bless you ALL.