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In Memory of Robert Yablonski (Updated - 05/01/09) The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation is saddened to announce the loss of Robert Yablonski, former Executive Vice-President and Foundation Board member. Bob passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19 at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia with his family by his side. The Foundation officers and staff join the hundreds of members of the Olmsted community in mourning the loss of an outstanding individual who will be remembered for his enthusiasm, infectious humor, love for life and dedication to the Foundation. Plans are in place for a memorial service at St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax, Virginia. The service will take place at the Parish Center located at 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. It is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2009, at 1:00 PM, and will be followed by a reception at the center. Final funeral arrangements and inurnment have been set at Arlington National Cemetery for Monday, July 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM. Prior to his passing, Bob requested that in lieu of flowers, those desiring to remember him send a donation to his childhood Catholic boys school in Delaware. The point of contact for any donations is: Ms. Kara Wilson, Development Office, Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE, 19802. You can also donate online using the following link: Please designate the "Yablonski Memorial" in the informational box at the bottom of the page. Also, continue to check the website for further details and updates as they occur.
Posted: Apr 20, 2009 | Posted By:
Craig Perry
We are tremendously saddened by the news of Col Yablonski's passing. Bob was a great leader and mentor, and touched the lives of so many Olmsted Scholars and their families. Our experience with this program is inextricably linked with his memory. He will be sorely missed.
Craig M. Perry, Major, USAF OSC 2003 (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Posted: Apr 20, 2009 | Posted By:
Guillaume (Will) Beaurpere
Colonel Bob Yablonski was an inspiration to us all and his passing is a huge loss to the Foundation and to the Olmsted student body. He will always stand-out as the face of the Olmsted Foundation to so many of us, and I will forever cherish his counsel and especially the memories of his visit while I was studying in Morocco. His spirit will carry on with the countless lives of Scholars he has touched over the years. All of our sympathies and prayers are with his family.
God Bless. Guillaume (Will) Beaurpere, Major, USA, OSC 2004 (Al Akhawayn University, Morocco)
Posted: Apr 21, 2009 | Posted By:
Edward (Ed) Jeep
I want to join my fellow scholars in extending my condolences to the family and friends of Colonel Bob Yablonski. I had the real pleasure of interacting quite often with Colonel Yablonski on Olmsted buisiness and especially when he visited me in Granada, Spain.
I greatly admired the intelligence, exuberance, enthusiasm, patriotism, and faith of this true gentleman. I learned quite a lot from him in our conversations; always willing to be the 'connective tissue' between Olmsted Scholars old and new, Col Yablonski made us all feel truly a part of the Olmsted family. I am glad that Col Yablonski is no longer troubled by illness but deeply saddened that such a happy life has had to come to an end. Bob - thanks for your friendship and for the very human side of our Foundation you provided. You are missed - and as they say in Spain, "Has dejado huella en este mundo" which translated, means: you've made an impression, left a real emptiness, on the path where you once were with us in this world. Edward Jeep, Granada 2003
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 | Posted By:
David (Dave) Vernal
My condolences as well to the family and friends of Col Yablonski. I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and will always remember his enthusiasm and generous spirit. He will be missed as one of the great Olmsted Scholar ambassadors for the Foundation and the Program.
David Vernal, Taiwan, OSC 2004
Posted: May 3, 2009 | Posted By:
Richard (Alan) Blackburn
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Col Yablonski. I will always remember him for his very warm personality. We talked many times during the application period and he was always very easy to talk to. His personality largely influenced my decision to apply for the scholarship. I'm sure every scholar can tell a similar story. To be so personally invested in each and every scholar proves he was a very special person indeed.
Alan Blackburn & Family Paris, OSC 2008
Posted: May 4, 2009 | Posted By:
Robert (Isaac) Baskins
Lauren and I join in sending our condolences to the Yablonski family. I count myself lucky to have known the Colonel, a patriot who continued to serve even after he stopped wearing the uniform. He was truly a class act.
Baskins, OSC 2008 Beijing
Posted: May 5, 2009 | Posted By:
Daniel (Dan) Zeytoonian
Katie & I were saddened to hear about COL Yablonski's passing, which is a loss to so many people. Our prayers are with his family and those who knew him best. He was and is a role model and we'll miss his intellect, energy and larger-than-life personality.
Dan Zeytoonian, OSC 2003, Cairo
Posted: May 12, 2009 | Posted By:
James (Jim) McGovern
Lisa and I were devastated to hear of Bob's departure. I know that our enormously warm experience in the program, both as a scholar family, and later for me as a selection board member, were made so by the great force of nature that he provided to all who he came across. No one involved with the Olmsted Foundation, however cursory, could miss his smile, his devoted energy and passion to the cause of General George and Carol Olmsted, and his heartfelt care for the scholars and their families. Our deepest sympathies to the Yablonski family. Although words are hopelessly insufficient, we pray you take solace in the huge and wonderful impact he had on so many.
James McGovern, Colonel, USAF, OSC 1995
Posted: Aug 2, 2009 | Posted By:
William McKeever
Peg and I were deeply saddened to hear of Yabo's passing. We had know Bob since the days when he and I were members of an Air Force briefing team from 1978 to 1982. Bob and I travelled together two to three weeks a month for four years. You could not ask for a better friend and companion. His personality and intellect made him a perfect fit as an Olmsted scholar. We are forever indebted to him for his example and contributions.
Posted: Dec 3, 2009 | Posted By:
Kurt Janke
Colonel Yablonski was part of our family. He came to visit us while we were in Greece. My son was celebrating his 7th birthday at the time and I remember waking up and singing 'happy birthday' to him in our pjs. Yabo joined in while still in his pjs. He was so easy to like and so full of energy. He spoke french all night long at the dinner party we had with him. The Janke family will always remember him fondly and he will always bring a smile to our face.
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