Robert Raymond Vidra
, known as “Bob” to all family and friends, passed away on December 12, 2021. Bob was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 24, 1936, to Alex and Mary Vidra. He joined the US Army in 1956 and married his loving wife, Shirley (nee Molda) on January 28, 1961. They shared 51 wonderful years of marriage, until Shirley’s death on August 11, 2012.
Bob worked as a pressman at the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune, and in 1970 moved his family out to Arizona where he worked at the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette until he retired in 1999. Bob was blessed to enjoy many years of retirement.
He found joy in Notre Dame football, playing poker and pinocle, golfing, trips to the casino, and (of course) a good martini, always on the rocks! But his greatest joy was his family! Bob and Shirley always made sure there were family dinners around the table, regular family vacations with their kids, and plenty of love and laughter with extended family and friends. Bob adored and was incredibly proud of his two grandsons (whom they always called “Poppy”), and was so happy that they always made time to grab a meal with him, watch sports or a good movie together, or even get a phone call from them just to check in and chat awhile.
2018 was a very special year as his daughters and grandsons all traveled back to Chicago and Southbend with him for a Notre Dame football game and a wonderful mini-reunion with many of his nieces and their families, and especially his beloved brother-in-law Joe Matulonis (aka ND Joe), who was his favorite person to have a martini with.
He is survived by his daughters Denise (Jerrell Stark), Suzanne, and Mary K (Scott Brenn), as well as two grandchildren (Parker and Austin Brenn) and countless extended family and friends. A funeral Mass will be held on December 21, at 10 am at St Juan Diego Catholic Church 3200 S Cooper Road, Chandler AZ 85286. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests charitable donations to Holy Cross Hospice, 6124 E Brown Rd., Mesa, AZ 85205