Albert "Bob" Dominiak

Albert Robert (Bob) Dominiak passed away peacefully on April 15, 2018, one week shy of his 90th birthday. He was born in Milwaukee to Francis and Rose Dominiak and was the older brother to Father Gerald Dominiak and Dorothy Hock, all of whom have predeceased him. He was married to the legendary Milwaukee Big Band singer Joan Schweitzer Dominiak (Parker) of Hi-Los and Double Daters fame who has also predeceased him. He is survived by his loving daughter, Debra Dominiak Rinck (James), his granddaughter, Charlotte Elliott, and his great grandson, Sebastian Elliott, as well as by stepgrandsons Abraham and Levi Rinck. Also survived by cousins and nieces. After Joans death, he spent many years with his longtime companion, Audrey Baldewicz, who predeceased him in November 2015. Bob and Audrey are survived by her children Nancy Meyer, Susan Baldewicz, Janine Sauers and the late Daniel Baldewicz( Angela), as well as grandchildren, Tess Sauers, Daniel(Sandy), Mal Meyer, Roxanne Meyer, Ben (Danielle) and great grandson, Cooper Meyer. Bob became the first musician in his family and, despite a late start, became an accomplished and well respected trumpet player. Bob graduated from Pulaski High School in 1946 and then served in the U.S. Army Band in Europe during the Korean War. When he and Joan returned from overseas, he attended college and graduated from UW- Milwaukee with a teaching degree in music. He then was hired as the first middle school band director at Pilgrim Park Middle School where he served young musicians and his community for 33 years. Bob continued to play professionally in many local big bands including Bob Stevens and Jerry Blake Orchestras. He played for some of the greats coming through Milwaukee including Nat King Cole, The Mills Brothers, Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis, Jr to name just a few. He was also part of The Green Bay Packers Band, The State Fair Band, The Pauwnee Bill Circus Parade and The Ice Show when it came to town. Bob leaves a legacy of enviable personal and teaching accomplishments. Although, he made innumerable appearances on the local music scene himself, his greatest accomplishments very well may be the thousands of students whom he taught over the years. He was dedicated to making music a part of everybodys life, no matter the level of their ability. He took pride in the improvement of all of his students, not just in the ones who went on to be well-known musicians, although there were a number of those. Bob also leaves a legacy of kindness and thoughtfulness toward others that cannot be measured. His level of gratitude, sense of humor and gentle spirit were evident to all those who crossed his path. He will be deeply missed. Funeral Service Saturday, April 21, at 11:00AM at the funeral home chapel. Visitation on Saturday from 9:00AM until time of services. Interment Forest Home Cemetery. Anyone interested in making a contribution in Bobs memory should contact his daughter at deb@jrrinck.com, who is in the process of starting the Robert Dominiak Scholarship Fund for deserving music students at Pilgrim Park Middle School.