Richard Wroblewski aka Ski, 89 of Fallon, Nevada died Friday 25 December 2015 shortly after attending a family Christmas party in Fallon with his significant other and longtime companion, Lida Ayers.
Richard was born to Felix and Gladys Wroblewski, Aug 19, 1926 in Niagara Falls, New York. At age 17 he enlisted into U.S Navy and soon found himself in the Pacific Theater serving on Landing Ship Tank (LST)708 in places like Guadalcanal and Okinawa. This is where Ski’s personality started to show. While anchored off one of the Pacific Islands during the war, Ski and two of his shipmates were in a small boat taking an unauthorized joy ride when they noticed a PBY sea airplane had hit a reef and exploded. The three shipmates raced to the burning plane and pulled 8 of the 10 crew to safety at great risk to their own lives. Over 50 years later, Ski would meet the men of the PBY, at which time he and his two shipmates were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal by the Secretary of the Navy.
Ski continued to serve in the Navy as a Seabee and was stationed in places such as Yokosuka, Japan and Alameda, California. He retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Construction Mechanic in 1964 and went to work as a Construction Mechanic and Foreman for County of Santa Clara later moving to Fallon, Nevada and working on Fire Crash Rescue Trucks at NAS Fallon where he finally retired in the 1990’s.
Ski was an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association both in San Jose and Fallon where he served as Chaplain, Vice President and President for numerous terms. In fact while serving as Chaplain for the Fallon FRA he met his longtime companion and love, Lida Ayers. Ski was a member of the VFW, American Legion and LST Associations.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Wroblewski who passed away in 1997 in Fallon. Richard is survived by his significant other Lida Ayers, 6 brothers and sisters, and 3 children; Gregory Wroblewski from Gardnerville NV, Richard Wroblewski from Boise ID and Craig Wroblewski from Reno NV . Ski is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Ski loved to work on cars and could always be seen in his garage on Drumm Lane working on International trucks, tractors, and Volkswagens. Ski also enjoyed traveling with Lida and having a night out at Stockman’s. He was known for his loving and giving character, helping anyone who needed a car fixed or anyone whom found themselves down on their luck.
A memorial ceremony will be conducted at Smiths Funeral Home, 505 Rio Vista Dr. Fallon, Nevada at 1200 PM 2 January 2016, followed by a Celebration of Life at the
American Legion Hall, 90 N. Ada Street, Fallon, NV 89406.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Fallon American Legion Branch Building Renovation Fund.
