Robert Paradysz, 67, of Lansdale, passed away on April 1, 2024. A resident of Montgomeryville for 32 years, Robert was born in Philadelphia on November 20, 1956. He was the son of the late Walter Stanley Paradysz and Theresa Emily Paradysz (Maglowski). His parents were first- generation immigrants from Poland.

Robert is survived by his twin children, daughter Jessica Lynn Paradysz of Collegeville and son Owen Robert Paradysz of North Wales. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Linda Marie Paradysz (Janney) and brother Ronald Paradysz. He is preceded in death by his beloved sister, Patricia Paradysz.

Robert had many roles outside of his impressive career at Glaxo Smith Kline. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan, a skilled bass player ingrained with a life-long love of music. A lover of the serene beaches of Avalon, NJ. An articulate writer and speaker with a rich and booming voice.  An intelligent and impressive A+ student who thoroughly enjoyed learning.  

Robert was a loving father. A compassionate brother. A fierce friend. He was Bob, Bobby, even Coach to some. Most important, he was a beloved father.

Robert grew up in Northeast Philadelphia on Kipling Lane with his parents Walter and Theresa, his older brother Ron and younger sister Pat. Walter worked in Chalfont, PA. His mother was a homemaker.

As a dedicated and bright student, Robert shined in school. He had fond memories of studying the periodic table and watching football on Sundays with his father. He received a Certificate of Achievement from the Senate of Pennsylvania in 1974 in recognition of a student who exemplifies leadership, community involvement and good citizenship.

A 1974 alumnus of Archbishop Ryan High School, Robert was a member of the football team.  He recalled fun memories of football parties in the woods with friends.  

He and his sister Pat, only three years apart, shared an incredibly close bond.

Robert worked at Seafood America, where he developed his love for the cuisine. He also worked at Honeywell. Robert graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute of Pennsauken, New Jersey in June 1976. He later graduated from McCarrie School of Health Sciences and Technology in April 1987 to be a Medical Laboratory Technician. It was at McCarrie that Robert met his future wife and mother of his children, Linda.

Although Robert was gifted in the sciences, he was artful and creative. He loved music. He taught himself how to play bass and was in a band called “Changes.” This was very impressive as the band included serious musicians from The Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. In his bandmate’s words “What I did not know until years later was [Bob] had only been playing bass for a little over a year. And had to work his butt off to learn the songs we played. It does not surprise me and showed his tenacity to succeed.” His band’s music was the backdrop for numerous weddings and events, as well as the 80s club scene, at venues from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.

As recently as the day before he passed, on Easter 2024, Robert’s face would light up, hearing a song that his band used to play. He would sway along, tapping to the music. In that moment he was transported to a better time. Music is magic that way.

Robert began working at Smith Kline Beecham, later Glaxo Smith Cline (GSK) as a Project Manager in Regulatory Affairs. There he was fortunate to be part of various work trips and discovered the beauty of France.

Through GSK, Robert attended Cabrini College. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in May of 1992. This incredible achievement was bittersweet as Robert had just lost his father due to a heart attack on May 4, 1992. Walter was only 69 years old.

Robert was the first college graduate of his family. His daughter Jessica went on to attend Cabrini College and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2016. Robert was a fierce supporter of Jessica, showing up to the Snow-White campus and supporting her at dance recitals, award ceremonies and more.

Robert went on to earn his Master of Science Degree in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Temple University School of Pharmacy in 2004.  

On March 10, 1994 Robert became a father and welcomed Owen and Jessica into the world. He was a caring father who always told his children he loved them. The family has fond memories of family trips to Disney World, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Paradysz family also enjoyed various vacations in Avalon and Cape May NJ.

Robert thoroughly enjoyed working at GSK, and developed life-long friendships that meant the world to him. Colleagues have warmly invited Jessica to lunches and dinners and have shared stories about her father. They have been an amazing source of support. She is incredibly grateful for their compassion.

Unfortunately, Robert was delt a cruel hand in terms of his health. He fought multiple illnesses, including cancers. Robert beat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was only in his twenties. He also beat Leukemia. Robert also battled pancreatic and neuroendocrine cancers.

Yet, Robert Paradysz was more than his illnesses.

Robert loved music. His eclectic repertoire was filled with dance pop hits from his days of playing bass, from Madonna to Hall & Oates and Shania Twain. The sounds of smooth jazz was often the soundtrack to parties and events at his home, with Sam Adams beer and Sutter Home wine flowing.

Robert was articulate and loved to talk. His deep voice reverberated through the room. He enjoyed taking his children trick-or-treating in their Stone Ridge neighborhood in North Wales, introducing himself in the suave way a politician might. He enjoyed carving pumpkins and dressing up on Halloween. Keeping their Polish heritage alive, Robert and his family loved attending the Polish-American Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA.

Just as he was articulate in speaking, he had a knack for writing, He had beautiful, distinct and neat cursive handwriting. When he wasn’t writing in cursive, his trademark was bold letters in all caps. He loved writing everything down on a litany of faded yellow notepads. He kept planners throughout the 80s, 90s and 2000s with notes about the day – a meal, a movie, a loved one’s birthday, all captured. Even his texts and comments on social media were perfectly punctuated. Almost everything had a date on it, from Christmas decorations to envelopes from the mail.

He loved fresh, vibrantly colored flowers. He loved the smell of incense wafting through the house, as well as Yankee Candles he would take time picking out at the Montgomery Mall.

Robert’s idea of decor was bursting with navy blue and orange. He loved the Chicago Bears. The boy from Northeast Philly became a passionate Bears fan when a friend told him he resembled Mike Ditka. It didn’t hurt that the Chicago Bears of the 80s were successful and iconic. He visited Chicago with his son Owen on multiple occasions to see DA Bears play.

Robert enjoyed sitting in his recliner in the family room of his beautiful red brick colonial style house, watching shows such as NCIS and SWAT with his German Shephard, Rocky. His favorite snacks, sometimes meals, were Brown-Sugar Pop Tarts and heaps of vanilla ice cream. He also indulged in some Kahlua from time to time.  

Rest in Peace, Robert. As found in prayer cards in his belongings, “Even the dead will come to life.” This isn’t the end.

In lieu of flowers or donations, in Robert’s legacy, please educate yourself on the signs of suicide and what to do to help those in need.