William Bernard Uminski

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Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Roller Chenal Funeral Home Chapel
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Saturday, August 6, 2022
10:00 A.M.
William Bernard Uminski

of Little Rock, AR

January 1, 1942 - July 20, 2022

William (Bill) Bernard Uminski was born January 1, 1942 in Racine, WI to Vernal Uminski and Evelyn (nee Foley). When Bill was 4 years old, his parents decided to homestead in Homer, AK. After the war, the US was trying to make Alaska more populated and was offering families, who were willing to move there, 80 acres, if that family would agree to live there for at least two years and farm. Bill had wonderful stories of this time. He told how his father built a one room cabin with a dirt floor. He loved being outside and recalled how he would see moose and even wolves. But alas, Bill's brother got rickets because of vitamin D deficiency and the family was forced to surrender their property and move back to Racine.
Bill went through Catholic School in Racine. He settled in Racine, WI and worked for a time at Jacobson & Thomas Tire Company. Eventually he was hired at SC Johnson, A Family Company, on February 16, 1960. He retired 32 years later as a warehouse foreman and fork-lift truck driver.

SC Johnson had a resort for their employees in Northern Wisconsin called Lighthouse Resort. Many of Bill's relatives worked at SCJ and when Bill was growing up, they would all go up to Lighthouse for a week or two. It was there that Bill developed his love of fishing and birding. They would spend many hours fishing and swimming in beautiful Fence Lake (where the resort was located).
Interestingly enough, he would meet his future wife at SC Johnson Lighthouse Resort fifty years later. One weekend in Fall of 2002, he and his brother went up to the resort for a few days of fishing and he met Cindy Kristopeit (a name he remembered from his youth). It was virtually love at first sight. They were married on July 5, 2003.
For many years Bill was the President of the Modine/Benstead Observatory Astronomy Club. Bill loved astronomy, and enjoyed ''public'' nights when the observatory was open to the public. He loved showing people of all ages the stars.
Cindy and Bill moved to AZ in 2004 and enjoyed living there. They would eventually build a home in San Tan Valley. One of their favorite things to do was visit historical sites, national parks and off-roading to remote canyons. They were members of the Arizona Archeological Association-San Tan Chapter.

One of the highlights of Bill's life was a night with an astronomer at Kitt Peak. There we had the 20-inch telescope all to ourselves and Bill got some pics, using a camera that was similar to the one used on the Hubbell Telescope.
In 2021, Bill and Cindy decided to sell their home and move to Little Rock, AR to be near grandchildren. Two days after they arrived, Bill suffered a massive stroke.
Bill was a brilliant man, yet he was a humble, kind-spirited, good-hearted, gentle soul. He was a wonderful father, husband and grandfather. His grandchildren were the love of his life and he was totally devoted to them.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Kristopeit; daughters, Candy Koenig, Tamara Pomeroy (Matt) and Kristi Uminski; stepchildren, Jennifer Ruud (Gerry Bruno) and Christian Ruud (Anne); grandchildren, Adam Pomeroy, Wesley and Samantha Ruud and Elijah and Lucas Bruno; brother, Jim Uminski (Cindy) and uncle, Pat Foley (Judy). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Tom Uminski.
Condolences can be sent to 1726 E. 2nd Street, Apt. C-105, Little Rock, AR 72202. In lieu of flowers, donations to Survivor's Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), P.O. Box 56539, St. Louis, MO 63156.


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21 Condolence(s)
Teresa Whitwell
LR, AR
Liked
Friday, August 5, 2022

I did not know Bill very long, but It did not take long for him to draw me in and capture my heart. He was such a kind soul and I will forever miss our talks.

Susan and Mike Martin
Phoenix/Heber, AZ
Liked
Monday, August 1, 2022

Memories of Bill: Today on an adventure in Sitgreaves National Park we thought of him. Whenever on a ride with Bill and Cindy, (and as we kept our eyes open for wildlife), Bill would always say, "Cue the deer" or Javelina, etc., depending on what we were hoping to see. We decided to try that on our jaunt today. Bill must have heard us because within10 minutes, there was a young buck running beside us. Unbelievable. True story. 40 minutes later we came across 3 buckskin wild horses. We threw apples to them and one ended up following me to the truck and taking an apple from my hand through the rolled down window. We think Bill would have loved it. We drove through the bluffs and I remembered how Bill would see a beautiful or interesting rock formation and would declare that this was "his rock" but unfortunately too large to bring home! Other memories: Bailey and Bill would bring Cindy coffee every morning when Cindy would whisper "COFFEE..........." It was a daily ritual. Finally, Bill never hesitated to declare, I LOVE YOU CINDY KRISTOPEIT, and he never cared who heard it or where he was when hebsaid it. . It is said by many that we never really lose someone as long as we take them along with us in memory. Bill,
we think you were along on the ride today.

Adam Pomeroy
Racine, WI
Liked
Friday, July 29, 2022

Grandpa aka “Rubber band Grandpa” I really enjoyed being young and growing up and you showing me how to fly fish, fishing and looking for various animals at national parks. I loved looking for fossils and cool looking rocks at the beach. Going camping was great as well. I still go to our favorite spot for fishing to this day to get some northerns on the fox river. When you lived in union grove we would eat at the union grove family restaurant order cheese sticks and I would eat one and say I’m full all the time. Going to the county fair to watch me go on the same gravity ride for like an hour. Driving around and listening to jimmy buffet. Going to the observatory was always a great time. Some days we would buy junk food watch movies drinking blue juice and playing crazy 8’s connect 4 and other games. Sometimes you would fall asleep and my mom or dad and me would get whip cream or easy cheese and fill your mouth up and your face and you would wake up spray cheese or whip cream everywhere. It didn’t matter what we did I did enjoy spending time with you. I will miss you and I hope you come fishing with me in spirit grandpa. Thank you for everything you taught me. Love always your grandson.

Andrew Coleman
Melbourne,
Liked
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

To dear Kristi and family.

My deepest sympathy and condolences for your loss. I wish you all the best during this difficult time. It may be tough to accept now, but I know you have the strength to get through this ordeal.

AKC

Greg and Osija Anolak
Melbourne,
Liked
Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Sad news .Our deepest Sympathy to all the family may he RIP from Australia.

Jerry Velzka
Cape Coral, FL
Liked
Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Love and prayers go out to the entire Uminski family, Bill was such a gentle soul with a kind heart, the 6 years that I knew Bill through his daughter Kristi, he was always so welcoming and would take time and have a chat with you. So may you rest in peace and you are now protected by the Lord...Godbless.

Lana Woydelko
Henderson, NV
Liked
Monday, July 25, 2022

Dear Kristi and family,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I pray for healing. Keep your memories close.
Much love ❤️

Annette Cummings
Racine, WI
Liked
Monday, July 25, 2022

Kristi,
My deepest condolences to you. May you take solace in the happy memories of your dad.
Sending you much love.
Annette

Caryn Tennessen-Uebelacker
Germantown, WI
Liked
Monday, July 25, 2022

Kristi, I’m so sorry for your loss. May your memories comfort you at this difficult time.

Jan Elliott
Estero, FL
Liked
Monday, July 25, 2022

Dear Kristi, Please accept our sincerest condolences on the sad loss of your father.
I hope you find comfort in your wonderful memories of him and the times you spent with him. Love, Mack and Jan 💞

Tom and Vickie Schoeppe
Mesa, AZ
Liked
Monday, July 25, 2022

First met Bill the day he and Cindy reconnected while fishing at Lighthouse, their's was a life together meant to be and we are so happy to have been a small part of it. Will miss our weekly discover AZ adventures. Bill never met an off-road trail or antique shop/old book store he didn't like and when it came to Nature (birds, fish, flowers, rocks even the stars) Bill knew about it. Needless to say, he was an awesome Trivia partner. Bill was also all about family and friends and had a way of always making you feel important.
Our most sincere sympathy to Cindy and all of Bill's family at the very sad time... truly believe that while Bill may be gone from us now, he will never be forgotten as we will cherish our fond memories of him always. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Kathy Slesar
RACINE, WI
Liked
Sunday, July 24, 2022

Bill worked very hard and he was a very kind man. He always attended family gatherings and knew how to have fun.
I pray for all of his family, may they know Bill is at peace.
Blessings, Kathy

Richard G. Slesar
Franksville, WI
Liked
Sunday, July 24, 2022


Bill, I thank you!
Getting me involved in astronomy and HAM radio are my two most wonderful memories I have with you. The faint objects we saw together and the ones I look for now, all have new meaning for me. When I'm not looking up at the night sky I'll give a listen for you on HF. Even though you are a Silent Key int the HAM community I'll still put out a call for KD9SA every now and then.
Prayers are with you and your family

Carpe Diem and 73's Bill

Kevin Baer
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, July 24, 2022

Beautiful poignant tribute! Tears!
What a wonderful man Jennifer Ruud!!

Lenore Merrell
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, July 24, 2022

We are so sorry for your loss,

Lenore, Arnold, Gwyn and Will Merrell

Jack Verwey
Independence, WI
Liked
Saturday, July 23, 2022

I enjoyed the times that we had working together at the Wax. He always had something to say but he was a good worker. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Jeff Johnson
Racine, WI
Liked
Saturday, July 23, 2022

Worked for Bill in the warehouse at SCJ. Great to work for super nice guy one of my favorites. Sorry for your loss Prayers go out to his family

Joe & Rella Hadley
Cincinnati, OH
Liked
Saturday, July 23, 2022

Our prayers are with you Cindy and all your family as you navigate this sad time. We only knew Bill for a brief time but we could tell he loved you deeply and was a genuinely good man. Joe and Rella

Matthew Pomeroy
Racine, WI
Liked
Saturday, July 23, 2022

Thanks Bill for being a great father-in-law teaching my son a lot of things he you did when he was younger with fishing and spending all that time with him going camping with the 3 of us had some great times love you Matt

Uncle Pat
MONTGOMERY, AL
Liked
Saturday, July 23, 2022

Bill was the brother from another mother (my sister) that I spent my youth with and he made it pure joy. We grew up together and shared everything. Before his passing we got to relive our childhood which was full of adventures and some good laughs. I miss him more than you know. He blessed my life and gave me memories that will never fade. I pray for peace for Cindy and Bill's complete family . God speed my friend. Love Ya

Susan K St Thomas-Schoeppe
Apache Junction, AZ
Liked
Friday, July 22, 2022

Dear Cindy,
My sincerest condolences for you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy. Bill was truly an exceptional man.
Wishing you peace, comfort and courage at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
Susan St Thomas-Schoeppe