Robert Rodak
Dr. Robert Rodak of Forest Park, Illinois, formerly of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on October 3rd, 2024, after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and commitment to his family.
Rob was born on May 2nd, 1954, in Edinboro, PA to Richard and Aimee (Doucette) Rodak. While earning a degree in Nursing from Edinboro University, he met Margaret Egan, his dedicated wife of 46 years. After five years of advocating and caring for his patients as a nurse, Rob followed his dreams and returned to school, attending Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to become a Family Medicine physician. He spent the next several decades caring for the community of Erie, PA. Affectionately known to many as “Dr. Rob,” he treated his patients as people: listening to their concerns, offering support, and respecting their dignity. Rob’s passion for Family Medicine extended to his involvement with the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians where he served as President.
Community was also important to Rob. He coached the local recreation soccer league when his girls were younger and was a member of the Fairview School District School Board. Rob was a longtime parishioner at St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church while in Erie. After moving to Chicago, he became a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Rob cherished lifelong friendships, with many of those friends becoming family.
While Rob cherished his role as a physician and was active in the community, he was most proud of and committed to his family and friends. He and Margaret had two daughters, Sarah (Bob) Johnson of La Grange, IL and Dr. Katie (Jeff) Freeman of Kennett Square, PA. During the girls’ school years, Rob was a staple on the sidelines of their games and was proud of the hard work his daughters exhibited in choosing their careers in law and medicine. Rob was an amazing PapPap to his grandsons (Andrew and Conor Johnson) and granddaughter (Eleanor Freeman), providing his three grandchildren with an endless supply of love and patience.
In addition to being survived by his wife, Margaret, children, and grandchildren, Rob is also survived by his sister Rhonda (Richard) Kurczewski, sister-in-law Terry (Randy) Rodak and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Ronnie (2006), Randy (2008), and Rick (2011).
In lieu of flowers, it was Rob’s wish to have donations made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (give.michaeljfox.org) or the Erie Humane Society (eriehumanesociety.org).
The family will receive visitors at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 West 55th Street, Countryside, IL, on Sunday, October 6th, 2004, from 2 to 5 in the evening. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 7th, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Cletus Catholic Church, 600 West 55th Street, La Grange, IL. In addition, the family will host a springtime celebration of life in Erie, PA with details to be provided closer to the date.
He was a great doctor: saw my husband & I through my husband’s cancer treatments. Really missed him when he left Erie. He always took time to chat about family, especially grandchildren.
My sincere condolences to the Rodak family. Dr. Rodak was a caring, thorough physician. He helped save my life on two separate instances. God speed.
Very sad to hear of this sad news. My deepest sympathy to the Rodak family. I knew Dr Rodak as our daughters played soccer together. He was also my PCP in Erie and was a wonderful
family physician🙏🙏🙏
So very sorry to hear this sad news. We are currently in Italy and will say a prayer for you Peggy and your family.
May Rob rest in our Lord’s loving arms.
God bless
Pat and Jack DeMars
Dr. Rodak was my Mother’s physician in Erie for a number of years. He was so kind, caring, and such an understanding doctor. My Mother was in a wheelchair in her later years and Dr. Rodak would make it a point to make a house call to see her after a long day in his office. He was an extraordinary man. Our condolences to his family from the Brown family.
One of my fondest memories of Ron was as a young boy growing up in Edinboro. Ron would play on the steps in the back of the house “on the hill” with his brother . Rick, Ron’s oldest brother, and I would laugh as Ron peaked thru the railing spying on us. Ron was a fine man and I only wish we had more adventures together. I will truly miss you cousin, I will always be proud to have had you in the family.
Margaret, am so sorry to hear of Rob’s passing. He leaves you with good memories. My prayers are with you & your daughters, & family. God bless you
So sorry to hear the passing of Dr. Rodak. I’ve known Dr. Rodak for many years with his volunteer work with the PA Academy of Family Physicians. He was a great friend. We also had a great relationship. My sympathies to his family.
Dr. Rodak will be so missed! We very much enjoyed working with him during his involvement in leadership and his Presidency at the PAFP. He was a wonderful man and physician and it was a pleasure knowing him and working with him. Our deepest sympathies to your entire family.
My deepest sympathy to Peg and all the family. Rob was a good man and a fine physician. May he rest in the peace of Our Lord’s arms.
Mary Dombrowski
I had the great pleasure of working with Rob during his “nursing” days. He was such a caring and kind person. As I followed his career it was clear that he truly loved helping others. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to the Rodak family.
I am so very sorry to hear the passing of Dr. Rodak. He was a wonderful doctor that took care of myself and my husband for many years. I have missed him terribly.
awesome Dr very caring
BEST doctor we ever had!! Took the time to explain everything and was honestly caring off whatever situation you were in..WILL BE GREATLY MISSED……R.I.P
My deepest Condolences to the family. Dr Rodak was the kindest, most compassionate doctor I ever had. I was going through cancer treatments and he took time out of his busy schedule to send me a card wishing me the best. I will never forget him.
My children and I were some of Dr. Rob’s first patients in Erie. He was our doc until he moved away. We were more than patients and doctor, we were friends. He was a kind and caring person. My deepest sympathies to the Rodak family.
My dear cousin, you will be missed. Much love you your family. Sheree
Our condolences Peggy, Sarah, Katie and family. We were lucky to be neighbors for awhile but I was especially blessed to have worked with Rob. He was a great physician and working with him showed us what it meant to be kind, patient, caring and dedicated. He touched so many lives leaving behind a great legacy. Our prayers are with you. Lori & Chuck Matlak
Sarah, I’m so sorry. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Rob was a trusted friend and colleague, as was his wife Peg. He always had a smile and a wonderful sense of humor. We enjoyed working with him and his gentle way of caring for us. as patients. Rob was truly a great guy and will be missed by the Erie friends and the medical community here. We are grateful for his friendship and delighted he was able to cross off a bucket list desire to visit Italy! God speed Rob! Blessings and much love to Peg and the family!
Robert was a very decent person and good friend. When my mother was ill back in 2011, Robert was a godsend. He met with my mother and me, showed genuine caring and compassion, and offered comfort. He did more for her than any other doctor she had seen. I missed seeing Robert at our 50th class reunion back in 2022. My sincere condolences to Peggy, Sarah and Katie and their families, and Rhonda. Robert was one of a kind and will truly be missed.
Dr. Rodak was a compassionate, caring person and the best doctor we ever had. He helped my husband through an extended illness, not only medically, but with compassion and support to him, to me and to my family. He was truly one of a kind. We often shared pictures of our grandchildren, the first being born on my husbands birthday shortly after his death. He touched our lives as no other and we still miss him to this day. My most sincere condolences to his family.
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Rodak’s passing. He was an amazing mentor – patient, supportive, and a model of the compassionate and wise family doctor. It was an honor to work with him. Sending thoughts of peace to the family.