Robert ‘Ski’ Kaliszewski

Robert Stanley Kaliszewski, known simply as “Ski” to everyone, was born July 19, 1949, in Illinois and raised in Missouri. He joined the Air Force after graduating from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. He was stationed in Minot N.D.,, Dover, Del., and finally Ellsworth AFB, S.D.  In 1979, he left the Air Force and became a full-time mechanic, advancing to manager of Kmart Auto in Rapid City, S.D., which led to opening his own shop in Custer.
Ski’s first wife, Sandy, went to be with Jesus in September 1992. The Lord brought Ski and Iris together and they married in 1994.
Ski was the much-loved owner of DJ’s Auto in Custer, S.D., and lived up to the name of his business every day by Doing Jesus’ Service. He loved helping locals and travelers alike with all their mechanic needs, and always went the extra mile for everyone. He even called out of state travelers to make sure they made it home after he fixed their cars and got them back on the road.
Ski went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 23, 2021. He was 72.
Ski leaves behind his dedicated, loving wife, Iris; seven adult children, Tony Hayek of Jupiter, Fla., Tammy (Gene) LaCroix and her husband of Winchester, Va., Cory (Tammi) Kaliszewski of Rapid City, Chris (Jamie) Nelson of Black Hawk, S.D., Ron (Lyndi Bartz) of Portland, Ore., Malina  (Tim) Kinnick Schuster of Rapid City, and Candi  (Jim) Kinnick Lynn of Edgemont, S.D.; 24 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren.
Ski’s celebration of life was July 27 at 10 a.m. at the Custer Armory. A private burial service with full military honors followed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to: Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home, 234 North Custer Street, Custer, SD  57730, 605-673-4422, chamberlainmc
colleys.com.
Donations received will be disbursed to Ski’s designated charities.