Robert Nadekow

Mr. Robert Nadekow, age 86, of Vidalia, died Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Community Hospice House after an extended illness. He was born in New York, New York, where he grew up on the lower east side of Manhattan, attending Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Cathedral. His fondest memories were of the summers he spent at his grandparents’ and uncle’s farm in upstate New York. Upon graduating high school, he accelerated his enlistment to the United States Army, as he had not yet turned eighteen. Fortunate to serve in peace time, he was stationed in New York where he became a radio operator and learned morse code. He often mentioned that most of his army buddies were given plane and train tickets upon discharge, but his ticket home was a subway token. He married the love of his life in 1960 and began working as a newspaper pressman in New Jersey, later moving to Connecticut. The mid-seventies recession resulted in moving his family to South Florida and a lengthy career as a pressroom foreman at the Miami Herald. His daily habit was to read the newspaper cover to cover. He retired to Vidalia, Georgia, where he was a member of Vidalia Cornerstone Church. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a self-taught carpenter, and his homes were filled with built-in closets, furniture, cabinets, bookshelves, and the like. He later progressed to building dollhouses, forts, and miniature furniture for his grandchildren, his efforts earning the name “Cranky Yankee Workshop”. He is preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Patricia O’Brien Nadekow; parents, Nicholas Nadekow and Olga Rusak Nadekow; and a sister, Nadia Nadekow.

His family includes four children, Robert P. Nadekow and wife Becky; Lynn Thompson and husband Freddy, all of Vidalia; Steven Nadekow and wife Ila of Lauderhill, Florida and Carol Whitfield and husband Lee of Reidsville; fifteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277 Vidalia, Georgia 30475, where he received skilled and compassionate care.

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