On the morning of December 26, 2022, at the age of 83, Bob Zakoski, of Carlsbad, California, took his last breath and left this world peacefully with family at his side, freed of the ravaging effects of Lewy Body Dementia.

He was the beloved and only child of Dorothy and Al Zakoski, whom he lovingly cared for until they themselves passed away. Born and raised in New York, Bob spent the first 30 years of his life there until he and his parents pulled up roots, seeking a warmer climate and eventually settling in San Diego.

Bob had an idyllic childhood and a crystal-clear memory of those years, growing up in Point Lookout, a beautiful barrier beach community on Long Island. He loved sharing those childhood memories with all who knew him..

His elementary education began in Long Beach, NY, and continued in Wantagh, where he graduated from high school. Summers were spent body-surfing at Jones Beach, coaching, working as a lifeguard, water safety instructor, golf caddy, and youth leader at his local parks and recreation department. He spent a year at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, and returned to Hofstra University on Long Island to complete his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry. During those years he played football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and ran track. Being a guy who loved to talk and loved sports, it was a natural next step for Bob to acquire his secondary education credentials. He was hired to teach and coach at Baldwin High School, where he spent 7 years. As plans were set in motion for his relocation to California, Bob was honored to receive a very different job offer, head soccer coach at Hofstra University. Though he turned down the offer because of his upcoming move to California, there were no regrets. That memory was one that he proudly retold over the years.

Upon arriving in San Diego in an Airstream that became his temporary home at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay, Bob spent a fascinating year working as a research assistant at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, while at the same time looking for a teaching position.

It was an exciting day when Bob was hired by the San Dieguito Union High School District in Encinitas, where he spent almost four decades, teaching chemistry, a variety of science and math classes, and computer science. He loved his job, the incredible colleagues and administrators that he worked with, the students that he had the privilege of teaching, and the young athletes he coached throughout the years. Another moment of happiness occurred a few months after he retired in 2004, when the district called to ask if he would consider coming back part time to continue teaching chemistry. His answer was a resounding, “Yes!” In the following few years, he was delighted to step in as a long-term substitute teacher for the district.

Bob had a brilliant and inquisitive mind. His teaching experiences included evening classes at Palomar College and UCSD Extension. In the early 1990’s he had the distinct privilege of being accepted into a National Science Foundation in-service program called the Supercomputer Teacher Enhancement Program (STEP).The program built an enduring bridge between the technologies, researchers and staff of the San Diego Supercomputer Center and over 40 secondary science and math teachers from eight different school districts in San Diego County. This was all happening on the brink of public internet use.

As an off-shoot of that incredible experience, Bob developed a computer science curriculum for educators and taught these classes through UCSD Extension at a time when computer education was not yet imbedded in college and university teacher preparation programs.

Not surprisingly, Bob’s intellectual curiosity led him to explore many different hobbies and interests, including music, model railroading, ham radio operation, astronomy and astrophotography (inside the backyard observatory that he designed.) Collecting and learning to play stringed instruments also happened on and off during Bob’s adult life (an organ, guitars, banjo, and ukulele).

Bob’s passion to stay in motion continued right up until 3 months before he passed away. In his lifetime he completed 3 marathons, then moved on to long-distance cycling, and finally to daily walking at his favorite neighborhood park or visiting the gym with his Silver Sneakers membership.

Bob was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, which his parents and teachers recognized at a young age. Though Bob did not like to perform or be the center of attention, gentle nurturing of that gift led Bob to many wonderful experiences as a member of school choirs, a high school barbershop quartet (after seeing the Music Man on Broadway,) and a college folk group (during the heyday of the Weavers, the Kingston Trio, and Peter, Paul, and Mary.)

Growing up near New York City, Bob had the unique opportunity to see many musicals on Broadway. Throughout his life, listening to original soundtracks of those musicals brought him great joy, even as his brain disease progressed, On some occasions, he would even sing along.

Bob was a kind and gentle man of deep faith and devotion. Not surprisingly, participating in liturgical music ministries was his favorite form of worship. At a time when congregational singing was just taking off, Bob began leading worshippers in song at his home parish in New York. Once he settled in San Diego his music ministry continued, as a soloist for funerals and weddings, as a cantor on the base at Camp Pendleton (Oceanside), as a cantor and/or choir member at St. Mark’s Catholic Church (San Marcos), Church of the Nativity (Rancho Santa Fe), St. James (Solana Beach), St. John the Evangelist (Encinitas) St. Elizabeth Seton (Carlsbad), and most recently as part of the wonderful choir at St. Thomas More (Oceanside). He treasured all of the relationships that he made along the way.

Bob leaves behind his wife and soulmate of 40 years, Kathy, their precious children, Jamie and Bryce, daughter-in-love, Lindsey, a granddaughter, 3-year old Madelyn, who lights up their lives with JOY, Kirk (Jamie’s partner and a loving family member), as well as a host of beloved extended family members, dear friends, and caregivers, all angels on this earth. The life of Bob Zakoski had meaning and purpose. He left a positive impact on all who knew him. LOVE is his legacy. He will never be forgotten.

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