Nicholas Garbacz III

May 15, 1915 - Dec. 18, 2015

SOUTH BEND - Nicholas Garbacz III (aka Jr.), age 100, peacefully passed away at home with his children at his bedside on December 18, two years and two days after his wife, Mildred. A bedside service was held with Rev. Father Philip Kontos of St. Peter the Apostle Orthodox Mission, Jupiter, FL officiating. “Nick” was born May 15, 1915 in South Bend, Indiana. He was the son of White Russian immigrants Nicholas and Anna (Skynder) Garbacz. He became a Palm Beach Gardens, Florida resident in 1990. Nicholas is survived by his son Nicholas (wife Denise) Garbacz IV of Port Charlotte, FL, Sandy Scott of PBG, FL, Tim Christopher of WPB, FL, and Lori Garbacz of PBG, FL. He is also survived by grandchildren, Gwen Smith, Brian Garbacz, Kyle (Allyson) Garbacz, MSG Mindy Wolfburg, and Morgan Scott Kratovil; great-grandchildren, Tyler Smith, Hannah and Austin Wolfburg, Adam and Dane Kratovil, and many nieces and nephews. Nicholas was predeceased by his parents; siblings: Anna, Michael, John & Alexander; and beloved wife, Mildred (Rodick). There was a time when Golf and Garbacz were synonymous in South Bend and Indiana where Nick and his three younger brothers were all well-known golfers. All except John turned professional, and all started out as caddies, parked cars, and worked on greens during the depression era. Nephew, Michael Garbacz Jr. is also a PGA pro and currently resides in Florida. Nick's daughter, Lori, is a retired LPGA tour professional. Nick graduated from James Whitcomb Riley H.S. class of ‘34 where he was a member of the golf team and later inducted into the Riley Hall of Fame. He was a three-time South Bend Metro champ, a three-time Indiana Amateur medalist and 1944 Indiana State runner-up. He also was proud of playing in the U.S. Amateur 1948, ‘56, ‘57, and the 1943 U.S. National pro-am. Nick was employed at Bendix Corp., Studebaker Corp. (20+ yrs.), served as Center Township Justice of the Peace, and was an IUSB golf instructor. When Studebaker Corp. closed, Nick purchased Robin Hood Golf Course on New Rd. and dedicated 28 years as proprietor and pro before selling and retiring to Palm Beach Gardens, FL. As a former “snow bird” as well as Florida resident he enjoyed playing golf at PGA National and all the other courses in the area, but all the South Bend courses still held a special place in his heart. Nick was also an avid fisherman. It didn't matter if it was a lake, the ocean, or the Everglades, he loved to fish. Nick belonged to many organizations including Moose, Lions, Eagles, Masons (S.B. Lodge 294 and Avalon Grotto), Indiana Golf Assoc., and PGA. He was patient, kind, generous, and deeply involved with his family, and community. He loved teaching golf to others and was an inspiration to golfers of all ages and abilities. A cremation memorial service and burial is pending (July 2016) in South Bend. Memorial donations may be made to VITAS In-Home Hospice Care, 4200 Northcorp Pkwy. #140, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 or to any South Bend area youth golf program.
 

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