Robert Wayne Semkus

Robert Wayne Semkus passed away peacefully at his home in Ringgold, GA on August 16,2020 after a period of declining health. He is predeceased by his daughter Sara Beth, mother Margaret (Horvath) brothers Charles and George and step-father Charles Sr.   He is survived by his loving wife Debbie Semkus of Ringgold, GA; daughters Kimberlyn (Omar) Mena of Ft Lauderdale, FL; Emylee (Brian) of Endicott, NY and his son Sean (Callie) of Omaha, NE. He is also survived by his step children and several grandchildren whom he loved very much. 

Bob was born in Chicago, IL on June 6th, 1945 and raised in Sag Harbor, NY where he spent his childhood fishing and crabbing on the shores of the bay.  His love for the ocean developed at a young age and he felt most at peace in the presence of any body of water.  He graduated from Pierson High School in 1968 and voluntarily joined the United States Army.  He proudly served as a Field Medic in Vietnam and was honorably discharged as an E6 Staff Sergeant in 1968.  In 1993, he graduated from Broome Community College with a degree in Nursing while living in Upstate NY.  He went onto work in many areas of healthcare as a Registered Nurse and retired from Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, TN.

Bob was an avid baseball lover not only for the game, but also for the history. He was a lifelong Yankees fan and also loved the Chicago Cubs.  During baseball season, you could find him at the Tennessee Smokies Stadium ringing his cowbells and occasionally heckling the umpire over a few “bad calls”.   He had a vast collection of baseball memorabilia and very proudly displayed each item in his beloved Yankee Room.  He had an unmatchable wit and always delivered the punch line just right for each one of his jokes.  His intelligence was apparent as soon as he spoke and he loved to carry on a conversation with anyone on any topic as his knowledge was immeasurable. Bob also loved to travel and it was not uncommon for him to go on long car rides to nowhere which is where some of the best memories with his children were made.   He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service for Bob will be held in Sag Harbor, NY at a later date as it was his wishes.