Robert “Bob” Charles Ozick, 69, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs surrounded by his family after a courageous 7-month battle with cancer on October 1, 2023. Born on August 14, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Donald Ozick and Jaqueline Stewart, he grew up in Southern California and lived his adult life in the Colorado Springs area.

Bob met the love of his life and wife of 49 years, Nancy Jost, while working as a custodian in a local school where she taught. They were blessed with two children and a grandson.  

For nearly 40 years Bob worked in environmental remediation and owned Environmental Abatement Services of Colorado.  Upon retirement in 2018, he enjoyed being “Papa”, coaching football, volunteering at church, playing poker, daily workouts at the gym and taking care of his grand dogs. His life-long passions included music, football and volunteering in the church/community.

Bob accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a teenager. He served in the church by singing in the choir/praise band, playing guitar, working with Angel Food Ministries, and church security.  He used his classically trained operatic tenor voice with First Presbyterian Church Choir, Victory Voices, UCCS Choral, and Grace Community Church Worship Band. Although he could have performed in other settings, he believed his voice was a gift from God and should be used only for praising Him.  He expressed his concern for others’ safety by serving on the security team at Grace Community Church and more recently at Woodmen Valley Chapel-Woodmen Heights Campus. 

Bob loved football:  watching, playing, and coaching.  Having played football in high school and being an avid fan of the sport, Bob was eager to be a coach on his son’s football team, the Dawgs.  He continued coaching youth football (2nd grade through high school) with Falcon Youth Football Club, Falcon Middle School and Liberty and Ellicott High Schools; and served 17 years as president of Falcon Youth Football Club. Bob coached his last season of football this spring 2023, even while undergoing cancer treatment. He often said, “Some coaches are better at x’s and o’s, but I’m good at winning hearts and minds.”  His dedication to community youth impacted many lives on and off the field.

Bob also had an avid interest in motorcycles and classic cars.  He began dirt biking at the age of 12 and owned motorcycles throughout his life.  He loved giving friends a ride on his Honda Goldwing, the “Cadillac” of motorcycles.  As a classic car enthusiast, Bob could tell “at a glance” the make, model and year of most vehicles and interesting facts about them. 

In addition, he had the gift of gab, quick wit and knew no strangers. Street smart and book smart, he offered sound and logical advice. He had a way with words, a vast vocabulary and was known for his great storytelling.  Bob often broke into a song during conversations and made-up new lyrics to fit the situation.  He had an infectious belly laugh and loved to make people laugh.   Even during his chemotherapy treatments, he made new friends and brought them hope, joy, and laughter.  With his son Nathan, he enjoyed watching and attending collegiate and professional sporting events, and target practice.  With his daughter Rachel, he supported her love for ice skating in her early years, and later he enjoyed sitting on the porch having conversations and listening to music. He was very involved in his grandson Wyatt’s life, coaching him in football, supporting him in karate, and teaching him how to be a young man.   With his poker friends, he rarely turned down an opportunity to play.  Throughout his life he was very generous with his time and money.  He is greatly missed by his family, friends, coaches, players, church and community. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Charles Korpalski.  He is survived by his wife Nancy (Jost) Ozick, daughter Rachel (Ozick) Quick, son Nathan (Hannah) Ozick, grandson Wyatt Quick, and brother Stewart Ozick. 

A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, November 17, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Woodmen Valley Chapel – Woodmen Heights Campus, 8292 Woodmen Valley View, Colorado Springs, CO 80908.  Live-stream access:  https://woodmenvalley.org/memorialstream

Memorial donations are requested in lieu of flowers to:

  1. Woodmen Heights Church Building Fund—make check to Woodmen Valley Chapel and write Heights Building Fund in memory of Robert Ozick on memo line.
  2. American Cancer Society Research—donate in memory of Robert Ozick online at www.cancer.org or by phone 1-800 227-2345