Robert Leonard (Bob) Miedzinski , 81, of Leonardtown, MD departed this earth peacefully early in the morning on 27 May 2012 at Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC in the company of his loving family. Born in Leonardtown, MD, on 26 June 1930, he was the son of the late Robert (Sheriff)Miedzinski and Mary Lillian Miedzinski.

He was a graduate of Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy and of St. Mary's Academy (Class of 1948).

He was the loving husband of Susan C. Miedzinski whom he married in Hollywood, MD, on 30 January1954.

Enlisted in the United States Air Force, he spent 4 years at several duty stations during the Korean Conflict and returned to be a lifelong resident of Leonardtown.

He was predeceased by his son, Robert L. Miedzinski, Jr. (1954).

He is survived by his remaining children Susanne Miedzinski Secada-Lovio of Timonium, MD; CDR Robert F. Miedzinski (Linda) of Leonardtown, MD; David A Miedzinski (Jennifer) of Hollywood, MD; Larry W. Miedzinski (Bonnie) of Leonardtown, MD; Wayne T. Miedzinski, Sr., (Donna) of Hollywood, MD; and Katherine Miedzinski Pilkerton (Michael) of Hollywood, MD. He was the grandfather of 16 grandchildren whom he absolutely loved and adored. He is also survived by his brother and sisters James F. Miedzinski of Leonardtown, MD; Mary L. (Pritzi) Ely of Leonardtown, MD; Jane M. Bussler of Leonardtown, MD; Ruth H. (Dolly) Abell of Leonardtown, MD; and Phyllis E. Miedzinski of Hollywood, MD.

He was predeceased by his sister and brothers, Roberta A (Bertie) Dooley, William B. Miedzinski, and Charles V. Miedzinski.

During his military time which began on 12 June 1952, Bob achieved the rank of Airman First Class while being assigned duties that took him as far away as Yokota, Japan during the Korean War. His military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge on 11 June 1956.

During that time and in the years that followed, he developed a patriotic passion that he relayed to others through his work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Within the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bob was a Lifetime Member and had the pleasure and honor of serving as the Commander of Post 2632 in California, MD, Commander of District 1 of the State of Maryland VFW, the Captain of the Maryland VFW State Honor Guard for 29 years, State Sergeant at Arms, and several national appointments to represent the State of Maryland VFW. He was a delegate and active participant at the annual VFW conventions at both the State of Maryland and National levels.

In 1994, he was selected as the Veteran of the Year for the State of Maryland. He was a primary attendee at numerous Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day ceremonies and celebrations and often was the central participant in raising flags and teaching local school children the etiquette of handling and respecting the flag of the United States. His primary passion in life outside of family was his work providing community service with the local volunteer fire department.

Due to war in the 1940s and the military employment of local young men, he began serving with the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) at the age of 14 in 1944. He remained an active member of the L VFD with the exception of his time performing military service. At the time of his death, Bob had accumulated over 67 years of service to the community through the LVFD and had the distinction of being the oldest and longest serving active duty member of any volunteer fire department in St. Mary's County.

During his tenure with the LVFD he served in many capacities that included Firefighter, Assistant Engineer, Corresponding Secretary (an office held at the time of his death), Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He was also a Life Member of the LVFD and was honored to receive recognition by being a Hall of Fame Member of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association.

In addition to performing the normal duties of a first responder in support of fellow residents in need, he was considered a permanent fixture as one of the Ferris Wheel Operators at the local fire department carnivals that served at least three generations of our local citizens.One of his biggest enjoyments was to see the pleasure on the faces of the children as they enjoyed thegentle breeze of the ride, the blare of the music over the carnival loud speaker and the popcorn scented air that accompanied the annual events.

Bob was a self-employed local businessman, where he was a part owner with his brother, Jim, of the Leonardtown Building & Supply that was in continuous operation as a full time business from 1957 through 2010. Even after the business was formally closed, until he became ill in 2011, he could often be found 2 to 3 times a week opening the doors to the business while attempting to sell the remaining inventory. The business became and continued to be an anchor and gathering point for the extended Miedzinski family and its many customers for various types of news, events, and customer service referral services.

His work ethic was above reproach and Bob made every attempt to provide that one-on-one service that can only be found in a local family business. He was known for his ability to get his customers exactly what they needed, even referring them to competing businesses when appropriate.

As a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Bob made it a point to be present at every major event in the lives of those that he loved so dearly. He did not miss a single grade school, high school, or college graduation of his children and grandchildren until he became ill.

He enjoyed the sports, musical events, school plays, scouting ceremonies, and honors ceremonies of all of his grandchildren. Even when faced with being out of the area for VFW or other meetings, he would drive home, attend the family event, and return to the place of his meetings. He often left the Eastern Shore, drove to Leonardtown or Baltimore for an event, and then returned to the Eastern Shore the same day. No matter how tired, he was there for his grandchildren. And his kind and caring personality did not diminish with time.

During his hospital stays, time at the rehabilitation center, and his home recovery outings (including numerous visits to the LVFD and local VFW, he always had a kind word for anyone within range of a conversation. Regardless of his medical condition, he religiously shook the hand of every caregiver or visitor that came to care for or see him.

The family will receive friends for Bob's Life Celebration on Tuesday, 5 June 2012, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with prayers recited at 7 p.m., Fireman's prayers at 7: 15 p.m., and VFW services at 7:30 p.m. at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, 6 June 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Father John Dakes officiating and Father Raymond Schmidt Co-Officiating. Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD on 6 June 2012, at 1:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be CDR Robert F. Miedzinski (son), David A Miedzinski (son), Larry W. Miedzinski (son), Wayne T. Miedzinski, Sr. (son), Michael A Pilkerton (son) and Michael J. Mattingly (nephew). Honorary Pallbearers will be his 16 grandchildren (Jessica M. Kearney, Christina L. Miedzinski, Daniel F. Miedzinski, Susanne M. Secada-Lovio, Jorge C. Secada-Lovio 2nd, Adam L. Miedzinski, Wayne L. Miedzinski Jr., Alicia M. Secada-Lovio, Sara L. Secada-Lovio, Brandon W. Miedzinski, Robert M. Miedzinski, Shawn P. Miedzinski, Justin P. Miedzinski, Ryan C. Miedzinski, Matthew A Pilkerton, Emily E. Pilkerton), the Members of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, and his Comrades in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, 22733 Lawrence Avenue, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD; the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, 22855 Lawrence Avenue, P. O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD, 20650, and Hospice of St. Mary's P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.