Surrounded by loved ones, Robert John (“Coach”) Drozd peacefully passed to his eternal reward on April 19, 2021 at the age of 81. He is survived by the love of his life, Ilene (“Cookie”), who together have celebrated the sacrament of matrimony for more than 55 years.

Born in East Chicago, he was preceded in death by his parents, John and Catherine Drozd and seven older brothers and sisters (Sister Agnesine, Mary, Walter, Chester, Frank, Stephanie and Adele) and his nephews, Frank Jr. and Ricky and his niece, Sharon.

He is survived by his six children, Anne (Jeff) Scheive, John (Terri) Drozd, Katherine (Matt) Schebler, Tim (Kendra) Drozd, Joseph(Nicole) Drozd and David (Amy) Drozd.  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren – Melanie, Katelyn, and Nicole Scheive; Hayley (Holland) Andrew, Quinn and Julia Drozd; Renee and Emily Schebler; Katherine, Elizabeth, Caroline, and Christina Drozd; Luke, Alexandra, Jacklyn, and Samantha Drozd; Emerson Drozd and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Bob grew up in East Chicago and was a long time resident and member of St. Stanislaus Parish, where he served as a lector.  A graduate of Bishop Noll Institute, he served in the Army and also served in the United States Postal Service for over 37 years.  The loves of his life were his wife, his faith, his family, the Chicago White Sox, Club KI-Yowga Little Leage Baseball, St. Stanislaus Athletic Booster Club, and the Knights of Columbus.    He also coached football and basketball.  He dressed as Santa for countless years and would visit family and friends as well as the Albertine Home on Christmas Eve.

He was a coach, mentor, and friend to many and had a knack for telling you what you needed to hear versus what you wanted to hear.  One of his joys in life was watching his “players” journey through their own lives.

He was a humble servant of the Lord who dedicated his life to his faith, family and community.  “Be yourself” and “do your best” is what he liked to often say.  He was a man of few words and likely would take issue with how much was written here about him today.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation—Help to Speed a Parkinson’s Cure.