Robert Michael "Bob" Valcanoff

Robert Michael “Bob” Valcanoff of Akron, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at the age of 92.

Bob was born in Akron on February 1, 1929 to father, Mike Valcanoff, and mother, Julia Valcanoff (nee Balser). As a young man, the oldest of three sons, Bob attended Garfield

High School and worked at the family bakery, Just-Rite Pies. He met Natalie Lepasky at a dance hall in Akron where they would polka the night away. They were married in

1947 and enjoyed 74 years together.

Bob did not have the opportunity for a college education but was bright, had a strong work ethic, and a desire to succeed in everything he did. He worked in construction,

refinishing wood floors, and as a bartender to support his family. In 1952, Bob and Natalie started Natalie Florist in Peninsula, Ohio. Bob also earned his real estate license and was a tax preparer. He was community minded and well-known in the area.

Bob always held the dream of flying airplanes. His confidence in himself and determination helped that dream to come true, as he became a pilot of small planes. He

went on to own his own plane and furthered his flight certifications to instrument ratings, flight instructor, and commercial licenses. As a member of The Quiet Birds, he was

awarded The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by the Federal Aviation dministration.

Bob was also a fifty year member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Akron, Ohio. Serving as a Shriner, he volunteered by flying children’s burn victims to the then Shriner’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brothers, Carl Michael Valcanoff and Theodore Michael Valcanoff. He is survived by his wife Natalie Valcanoff; children,

Stacie Lynn Rastok (Phillip) and Michelle Ann Tesmer (Terry); grandchildren, Adrienne Rastok (Toby), Brandon Rastok (Danielle), Tara Polacek (Tim), and Trent Tesmer

(Heather); and great-grandchildren Natalee, Kylee, Aleena, Braden, Tucker, and Tessa.

A Memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. THURSDAY February 10th at the Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Private interment at Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Bob requested that memorial contributions in his name be made to Shriners Children’s Hospitals at donate.lovetotherescue.org.

“As long as we remember a person, they’re not really gone. Their thoughts, their

feelings, their memories, they become part of us.” -- Justin Cronin