Obituary of Robert Dewey Pikula

Robert Dewey Pikula, 79, of Glastonbury CT, husband of Janet Butcher Pikula, died on Saturday, December 26, 2020. Robert was born April 21, 1941 in Hartford, CT to the late Frank J. Pikula and Marian D. Pikula. Bob grew up in Glastonbury, CT, graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1959, and from the University of Connecticut in 1966. After joining the US Air Force in 1967, and shortly after his marriage to Jan, he sustained a debilitating injury as a spectator at a raceway in California. He was medically discharged from the service and moved back to Glastonbury. Despite the loss of use of his left arm, he continued to live life to the fullest and always lived it his way. After a brief career at Southern New England Telephone, his entrepreneurial spirit took over, and he opened and owned a Century 21 Real Estate business in Glastonbury. When finished with real estate, he moved on to successful car wash businesses in Wethersfield and Newington, and then spent most of his career as a self-taught machinist where he owned and operated Easy Way Machine, LLC and Elmwood Tool, LLC, until his retirement. Bob always looked for new challenges. He earned his private pilot’s license and often took his apprehensive family on his “leased plane” until finally divulging he had purchased the Piper Arrow aircraft. After his affair with piloting, he took to the water as captain of his 30 ft. sailboat “PrimeTime”. Bob loved to spend time tinkering with woodworking, engines, and computers. He had a passion for automobiles, owning numerous different models, each for a short period of time, before moving on to his next new car. He was a member of the “No Rules Corvette Club” and took many club road-trips, even after selling his Corvette. He looked forward to his Tuesday morning coffee-club meetings with his long-time Glastonbury friends. Bob was passionate about his dogs with an affinity for the Portuguese Water Dog breed, including his beloved Balto. Bob, while always a UConn sports fan, especially enjoyed watching the UConn women’s basketball team. He was a member of First Church of Christ Congregational in Glastonbury and served on the Glastonbury conservation commission. Besides his wife Janet of 53 years, he leaves behind daughter Robin Kohs, her husband Michael and grandchildren Sarah, Stephen, and Lauren of Portland, CT; and son Michael Pikula, his wife Sarah and grandchildren Connor and Chase of Suffield, CT. He also leaves his sister Beverly Clough of Glastonbury, brother Gregory Pikula and wife Jane of Orange City, Florida, his brothers-in-law and their wives, William and Gale Butcher of MA, David and Natalie Butcher of GA, his nieces and nephews and their families, as well as many special friends. Bob was predeceased by his brother-in-law Eugene Clough. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Robert’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Protector of Animals organization in East Hartford, CT. There will be no calling hours. Burial services will be private and held at The Green Cemetery in Glastonbury. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be planned for a later date. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.