Robert Paul Topp

Robert was born Robert Paul Czubachowski on June 1, 1931, to Leonardo David Czubachowski and Fannie Margaret Onofrio. He left this world on December 9, 2021, to join the love of his life, wife and life partner, Shirley.

Please DO NOT mourn Robert's life but celebrate and envy the rich life he lived. He was born in Toledo during the great depression and enjoyed a wonderful childhood doted on by a large number of aunts and uncles and playing with many cousins and friends. He graduated from Nativity Catholic grade school as World War II was ending. Robert then went on to Macomber high school where he played second base for the school's varsity baseball team and won the City Championship played at Swayne Field where he hit two single base hits. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and was attached to the 508 Airborn Regimental Combat Team where he earned his parachutists wings and made 23 successful jumps. Following an honorable discharge from the Army, Robert was appointed to the Toledo Fire Department. During his career on the Fire Department, he was stationed at No. 21, No. 23 and No. 18 Fire Stations. As a fireman he rescued numerous people and pets from burning buildings. In 1968 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was stationed in the Alarm Office where he fielded fire and injury distress calls for the City of Toledo. While a firefighter he also worked in home remodeling for various companies including Hobbs Builders and Reynolds Brothers. Along with his work partner, James Craig, they could build a and Robert could complete a 2-car garage in a single weekend. He was also a junior partner with James Craig in running Jim's Beer Barrel located at Starr and E. Broadway which they remodeled and enlarged the establishment. Robert enjoyed many friends from the construction trades and the Fire Department while working at "The Barrel." After retiring from the Fire Department in 1984 he and Shirley began a career as glassblowers, studying at the Toledo Museum of Art, Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and Orient and Flume in California. He and Shirley founded Hand Blown Glass and built their own 1,200 sq ft studio behind their home. Together they created free formed glass art, glass jewelry, and molded glass that were exhibited at the Toledo Museum of Art and in galleries in Toledo and Columbus. Everyone who knew Robert and Shirley were given at least one piece of their glass art. They also traveled the country selling their art at shows including the Crosby Festival for the Arts, Ann Arbor Arts Fair and Louisville's St James Court Art Show. They also sold their art in other shows all over the country from in Key West, FL, Traverse City, MI and San Diego, CA. Their signature pieces were the much sought after marbles and millefiori glass plates. After retiring from glass blowing and the loss of Shirley, Robert donated his entire studio to the Blissfield Arts Commission to build a hot glass teaching studio.

Robert is survived by his son, Bob (wife Jamie); daughters, Susan and Melinda (husband Jeff Kronenacker); stepdaughters, Marla and Jamie and beloved cat, Blossom. His grandchildren include, Cortney, Natalie, "Jay," Katie and Lauren, Brianna and Grant. Robert we all hope we can live a life as full as yours.

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