Robert W.A. Bajak, age 68, of Gowanda passed away at home unexpectedly on Monday, August 3, 2026. He was born on June 13, 1958 in Buffalo, the son of Walter and Marilynn (Sontag) Bajak.
Survivors include Robert's, wife Meribeth Ziemer; his brother, Michael (Debra) Bajak; children, John Schenne, Jr., Meredith (Landon) Wright and Melanie (Geoff Liedke) Schenne; grandchildren, James and Madeline Olczak, Austin, Cannon and Keira Wright; his nephew, Christopher (Deniz Cetinkaya) Bajak; his niece, Kayla (Gabe Salas) Bajak; as well as many cousins.
Bob graduated from Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, where he was first introduced to computers, in 1976. He attended Buffalo State College and then embarked on a career in computers. He worked as a senior IT specialist for 42 years, most notably at Lockheed Martin, the Army Corps of Engineers in Buffalo, and Moog in East Aurora. He retired in 2020 and devoted more time to his hobbies.
Bob belonged to the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a group dedicated to re-enacting medieval times. His persona was monk named Baron Riobard Michael Patrick Timothy Seamus O'Suillabhainn, familiarly known as Brother Bobby. He attended events in Western New York and Pennsylvania, which included courts in which the King and Queen, as well as the Baron and Baroness, gave out scrolls as awards for services and competitions. He was the recipient of many of them and joyfully displayed them on a wall in the living room. When he retired, he spent more time developing his skills of illumination and calligraphy to make many scrolls to be awarded to others.
For the past 50 years, he used his skill as a guitarist and singer to lead music at many churches in the area, most recently at the Gowanda Free Methodist Church. During COVID, he sang and played for Zoom services at GFMC. He was very active in the church, serving as a church board member, a delegate and and a member of the Men's Group.
Bob had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. He was very witty and often sarcastic. He was also known for his wonderful hugs. He genuinely cared about people and helped anyone as often as he could.
Friends may call on Saturday, August 8 from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Schindler Funeral Home, 44 Center Street in Gowanda. Robert's funeral will be held on Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 PM from the Gowanda Free Methodist Church, 149 West Main Street in Gowanda (please assemble at the church), with Pastor Simon Knighten officiating. A light meal reception will follow.
He always had at least one dog, and usually two, throughout his life. He was especially fond of pit bulls. If desired, memorials may be made to a non-kill animal shelter, with emphasis on pit bull rescue.
