The name “Bob Pochyla” of Shelby is found synonymous with many worthy endeavors…Korean War veteran, Shelby Township Clerk and the Shelby Optimists. After spending an hour with him recently, it was discovered his name could also be synonymous with words/phrases like faith-filled, hard-working, humble and community-minded. Words that have defined his life, his family, his work and his service.
Pochyla, who has served with the Shelby Optimists for the past 75 years, was recently honored, along with fellow Shelby Optimists Jack Cheever (54 years), Bruce Fox (54 years) and Paul Inglis (52 years) at the organization’s district meeting Aug. 17 in Ann Arbor. The Shelby Optimists Club is only one of 33 Michigan clubs that can boast being over 50 years old.
“I have known Bob and Ronny Pochyla for nearly 70 years,” Inglis said. “Bob’s commitment to the area youth was reflected by his words and deeds as a member of the Shelby Optimist Club. He has always been a firm believer that, by participating in and taking a leadership role in the Shelby Optimist Club, he could make a significant difference in the lives of the youth of the community. He was extremely proud of the successes that were achieved by the area’s young people, who benefited directly from the support of the Club.”
When approached about being featured in The Oceana Echo for his recent recognition, he was a bit taken aback and thought it totally unnecessary. However, after a little coaxing, he was able to share thoughts about the past, the present and the future. Something The Oceana Echo is honored to be able to share.
Pochyla, 95, was born in Muskegon and moved to Shelby as a young lad, shortly after his father died. He and his brother Jerry moved in with their Polish grandparents, while his mother continued to work in Muskegon to earn their living. Later he would move in with his aunt and uncle and work in their clothing and shoe repair store in downtown Shelby.
In 1947, he graduated from Shelby High School, where he was very active in sports. Following graduation, he continued to work in town and became active in the Chamber of Commerce, where he said he was asked to be the treasurer and began writing articles for them.
“A guy came from Detroit, I can’t remember his name, but he had a cottage at Stony Lake, and he wanted to organize an Optimist Club in our area. There was a meeting at the high school, and the chamber thought I should go. I joined the Optimists on Nov. 9, 1948. The club was called ‘the friend of boys’ back then. Right away, I became the secretary. We met every week. I typed the minutes, mimeographed them (“duplicated” them using a stencil fitted around an inked drum) and mailed them for three cents a piece to the 45 members in the group,” he said.
Pochyla remembers how in 1951 he and his brother decided to enlist in the Army Air Force and how the Shelby Optimists gave him a huge sendoff. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan, where he became the custodian of the Air Force’s Sierra Service Club, a place for soldiers to have their R & R while on leave. “The club was in a beautiful old bank and was not on base, Pochyla recalled. “I had 150 Japanese employees I was in charge of,” he said.
While he was honored to serve in this capacity and enjoyed working with the Japanese people, he was glad to be on his way home in 1954. But not before being given a special commendation award, honored with a huge employee surprise send-off and a chauffeured ride back to his ship. As with any veteran, time spent in the military changes a person. For Pochyla, he was able to use, as he would later admit, his “God-given” skills to lead and invest in people’s lives in service to our country.
Back at home, he met and married his wife Veronica and raised four wonderful children, and next year they will celebrate 70 years of marriage. While working full-time and raising a family, Pochyla remained a strong community member; from joining the chamber and the Optimist Club, to being active in the Goodfellows “Old Newsies” and in his church.
“I try to go to every meeting (Optimist Club) still, but I have someone else drive me,” he said. Besides holding the offices of president and secretary numerous times, he has also had the privilege of leading the group in prayer at the beginning of every meeting.
As often happens in these types of interviews, people eventually open up and start to share on a deeper level. It is obvious the Pochylas have a deep faith, and they have been long-time members of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Shelby. “By prayer and all, I believe God will keep us. We believe in heaven and eternity and pray every day,” Bob shared.
Pochyla was honored to be recognized at the recent convention in Ann Arbor. “I wasn’t expecting all that,” he said humbly. He just thought he was going to the annual convention. But he ended up being recognized as the longest-living charter member of the Shelby Club.
An honor he would just as soon sweep under the rug. “God made me this way, and He’s the one who’s given me the opportunity. I could go tomorrow. The recognition was nice, but there’s other deserving people. It made me feel good (over the years) to get involved and help others. I didn’t have that growing up,” he said.
“Besides being true to our Optimist Club philosophy of being a friend of youth, Bob is a friend to everyone. He’s just a naturally warm, friendly, supportive and positive person. He doesn’t deny that age has its challenges, but he chooses to focus on all he still has to offer. That includes the obvious enthusiasm, love and care he extends to his family and community every day. He’s an inspiration,” fellow Optimist Linda Kotzian said.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the Optimists. I’m so grateful for the recognition, glad to be a part of the community, glad to be accepted,” Pochyla said gratefully.
The Shelby Optimists meet monthly on every other Wednesday, from mid-September through mid-May, at the Stony Lake Yacht Club from 7-8 p.m. Membership is open and all are welcome.
