With a kind heart and warm smile, Bob Wellinski has always had an inner spirit of kindness and compassion. Without hesitation, Wellinski has impacted the community of La Porte for over thirty years.
For Wellinski, there is no other place for him than La Porte.
"LaPorte is a very family-friendly community, and a very caring community. When people need help, the community rallies together to help one another. I've lived here my whole life and it wouldn't be the same any place else," Wellinski said.
Growing up, photography meant the world to Wellinski. During high school, he began working as a freelance photographer for the La Porte Herald-Argus at the young age of fourteen. He never thought photography could be anything more than a hobby, so after his high school career ended, he began taking nursing courses at Purdue University North Central.
While in college, LaPorte County EMS called and offered him a full-time position. Once taking the position, he withdrew from being a full-time student at PNC and then worked full time as an EMT for nearly two years.
Wellinski also was a volunteer fireman for Center Township Fire Department for just under fifteen years.
His life plan did not follow through as he imagined, though.
He stopped pursing the career of EMS and created a new definition to the word "photographer." Self-taught and ingenious, he became a full time photographer at LaPorte Herald-Argus and worked there for a total of thirty-four years. During his time with the Herald-Argus, he captured tens of thousands of images of events, history and people of LaPorte County for over three decades, telling stories through each image.
"Being a hometown boy and covering several local events as a newspaper photographer, you get to be a part of so many people's lives. Having the opportunity to interact with the community was my favorite part of the job," Wellinski said.
Although photography is still prevalent in his everyday lifestyle, he currently works as a custodian for the LaPorte Community School Corporation.
"Through the course of my job as a photographer, I'd always run into the custodians at the schools from time to time. I like to keep busy, and I thought it'd be an interesting career. Seeing the way the buildings are kept, I knew that the quality of their care was similar to the certain quality I expected of my pictures," Wellinski said.
Along with his career as a custodian, he still pursues his passion for photo-taking working as a photographer for What's New LaPorte? and The Beacher.
This will also be his third year as a photographer for the Northwest Indiana Catholic Newspaper.
"I don't think I could've done the job as well in any other community because my relationship with the community and its people has enabled me to do my job well. I point the camera and push the button, and capture the people being who they are. Having them allow me to capture them during that particular time is what photography is about," Wellinski said.
On Sat., December 6, Wellinksi will be receiving an award at the Hoosier State Press Association in Indianapolis.
Besides his passion for photography, he has a great love for those who have helped and supported him along his way: his family.
Wellinksi and his wife Mary just celebrated their fourteenth wedding anniversary. Together, they have three children: Michael, John Paul and Rebecca. Bob also has three other children of his own: Alan, Matthew and Julia.
He draws an inspiration from his family, the community and his devotion to God. Throughout his life, he has always has a strong sense of faith, and has used it as a guide as to how to treat and care for others.
"Religion has helped put meaning to why we're here, and has put meaning to everything I do. Every aspect of my life is centered around my faith. We are here for a short amount of time, and the church has taught me that we are here to serve and care for others," Wellinski said.
In his spare time, Wellinski thoroughly enjoys bicycling. He takes part in the Tour de La Porte every year to help raise money to cancer research.
"There are always so many positive things happening in LaPorte County and it is great to be able to take advantage of all we have," Wellinski said.
As a hometown boy, Wellinski is happy for all of the opportunities LaPorte and its people have given him. This is not the end, but only a new chapter in his life.
Wellinksi is ready to see where life will bring him next. This LaPortean continues to wear his smile for the world to see, and is content with his life as he currently knows it.
As stated by singer John Mellencamp, "No, I cannot forget where it is that I come from; I cannot forget the people who love me. Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town, and people let me be just what I want to be."
Photo courtesy of Dylan Schlundt