Dr. Stanley “Stan” Robert Chmielewski, age 80, of Nokomis, Florida, died peacefully on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Born on September 7, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of Stanley and Mary (Dudon) Chmielewski. Stan grew up in Dayton. He attended Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, where he played baseball and football. He graduated with the class of 1962. Stan attended the University of Dayton, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and then St. Louis University School of Medicine, where he pursued and earned his medical education degree.
On June 21, 1969, Stan was united in marriage to Carol Lee North at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Dayton. A year later, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed overseas in Thailand. Upon his return, Stan moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he earned his ophthalmology degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Together, Carol and Stan made their home in Richmond, Indiana, where they raised their three children, first in town and then on their farm, where they had two horses, three dogs and cats.
Stan started his own ophthalmology practice, which he owned and operated for over two decades. Stan had a passion for golf, photography, reading, cooking, finance and travel. Stan cherished his sons and grandchildren and always appreciated spending time with them wherever and whenever they could be together.
Stan was meticulous and loved challenges. He would strive for excellence in anything that he became interested in. He loved working in his yard, throwing down pre-emergent, fertilizer and micronutrients, and tending to his plants and flowers. He equally loved being a chef, trying out new recipes and new cooking techniques. Stan made every effort to share his cooking knowledge with anyone that would listen to him.
Come football season, Stan would be cheering on his Indianapolis Colts, and if they were not playing, cheering for the underdog. He also enjoyed watching the major golf tournaments each year. He would speak often about his Australian shepherd, Slugger. He enjoyed listening to ’50s music, American classics and easy listening.
Throughout his life, Stan had a strong Catholic faith and was most recently a member of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, Florida. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Wayne County Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Lions Club.
Blessed be his memory.
Stan is survived by his wife of 54 1/2 years, Carol of Nokomis, Florida; children: Brian (Mariateresa Clark) Chmielewski of Woodbury, Minnesota, Mark Chmielewski of Portage, Indiana, and Matthew Chmielewski of Nokomis; grandchildren: Jacob Chmielewski, Nicholas (Rose) Chmielewski, Sarah Chmielewski, Abigail Chmielewski, Tobias Chmielewski, Abraham Chmielewski, Haylee Chmielewski, Anna Chmielewski, Isabella Chmielewski and Graeme Chmielewski; three great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Kidney Fund.