Obituary of Robert Lawrence Banoczi

Surrounded by his loving family, Robert “Bob” Lawrence Banoczi, 85, passed away on January 18, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Bob was born June 6, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio. He went to St. Ignatius High School. There he excelled in academics and also in sports. He was an exceptional football player and received many accolades. 

Bob then moved to Southern California where he soon started a career in aerospace at Autonetics which later became Rockwell, and then Boeing. After a successful career as a project manager, Bob retired from Boeing in 1999. Bob “aka Polka Bob” also had a passion for Polka music. In the early 60s, he played drums in a band with his brother, Jack. In the mid 60s Bob and four other musicians started a group known as The Cavaliers. They entertained polka lovers for the next 25 years. During that time they produced four LPs and several singles. After leaving The Cavaliers in the early 90s, Bob hosted a Polka radio program and also continued to sit in for Polka bands who were in need of a good drummer. 

Bob was a 27 year cancer survivor. In 1997 he was diagnosed with tongue and throat cancer and underwent a radical tongue reconstruction surgery. He continued to thank God for his healing. He also expressed thankfulness to family and friends for their thoughts and prayers. 

Bob and Gail were married for nearly 44 years. Together they raised horses and enjoyed bountiful fruit and vegetable gardens on their 5 acre property. At the same time, they both maintained a busy work schedule in the aerospace industry. After retiring, they traveled the world together, seeing destination sites such as the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, Pompei, Stonehenge, the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Panama Canal, and many more amazing sites. In 2014, they relocated to Colorado Springs, CO. Three of Bob’s children and their families live nearby and have been able to spend memorable time together. 

Bob was honored to become a member of the Knights of Columbus, as was his father before him. He enjoyed fellowship and serving at St. Peter Catholic church. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Gail; his sister, Joyce Henry; his six children, Walt (LuAnn) Banoczi, Martin Banoczi, Michelle Williamson (Duke), Theresa (Chris) Mizer, John (Cass) Banoczi, & Helen McDunn Christensen. Bob is also survived by seven grandchildren, Brian Banoczi, Kahra (Rodney) Stiver, Tawnie Mizer, Sarah (Mitch) Scott, Sean Christensen, Nathan Banoczi, and Elizabeth Banoczi; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob Banoczi, David Banoczi & Ruth Scott. 

The family truly appreciates your thoughts and prayers. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.