Apolinary "Paul" Pulkowski

Apolinary “Paul” Pulkowski, 77, of South Bend, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 17, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 6, 1947, in a displaced persons camp after World War II in Hohenfels, Germany to the late Apolinary and Franciszka (Matyaszek) Pulkowski.

After receiving sponsorship from a family in Virginia, the Pulkowski's made their way to the United States when Paul was 3 years old. They farmed with their host family until the Pulkowski’s made their way to Chicago where Paul spent most of his early years and began working as a Polish Roman Catholic printer. By sheer fate he met his beloved wife Virginia Brown on a blind date. Through their mutual love of music and dancing the two fell in love and were married a year later in St. Joseph, MI in the middle of a winter blizzard on January 29, 1977. They were married 47 years.

She survives along with their children, Marisia (Zachary) Pryor of Mishawaka and Apolinary “Paul” (Tiffany) Pulkowski of Columbus, IN; their four grandchildren, Jack and Adaline Pryor and Anthony and Austin Pulkowski, and siblings, Henry (Sharon) Pulkowski of Lake in the Hills, IL, Diane Jarosinski of Belvidere, IL, and Lucy (Don) Leo of Round Lake Beach, IL.

Paul dedicated almost five decades to his craft as a tool and die maker yet found his greatest joy in nature's embrace. Paul delighted in the outdoors, often immersing himself in the serenity of local parks, with Potato Creek State Park holding a special place in his heart. He enjoyed the fine details of biology, entomology, and botany, meticulously collecting and studying various plants so as to attract butterflies, spiders, and grasshoppers that always fascinated him to his home. He constantly strived for deeper knowledge and understanding of the complexity of nature by observing different species or organisms through the lenses of his numerous microscopes at home. Paul's thirst for knowledge knew no bounds, he would often be found surrounded by books on science, history, and mathematics, continually seeking to enrich his understanding of the world.

Per Paul’s wishes cremation has taken place with a private family time set for a later date. In lieu of flowers and to honor Paul’s life memorial contributions may be sent to Indiana State Parks.

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