We first met Ruzek’s dad back in season 2, episode 12, “Disco Bob,” which introduced Jack Coleman in the role of Bob. The episode was a defining moment in Ruzek’s story, giving fans a look behind the curtain into his relationship with his father, who had inspired him to become a cop. The episode also established that Bob wasn’t a fan of dirty cops, with Ruzek’s dad going as far as to make it clear that he didn’t like that Ruzek was working with Voight, who had a history of coloring outside the lines.
Over the years, Coleman would appear in several additional episodes, popping up every few years for a new storyline. Sadly, his return in season 12 signaled that his time on the show was likely coming to an end when we learned that Bob had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
The diagnosis threw Ruzek off guard, but he made a point from the very beginning to do everything he could for his father. It wasn’t easy for Ruzek to eventually make the decision to move his dad into an assisted living facility, but he knew it was the right call for his dad’s health as he needed care that Ruzek simply could not provide him alone.
Jumping ahead to season 13, we came to learn that Bob’s health had begun to decline, resulting in Ruzek taking some time off from the CPD to be there for his dad, with the storyline being used to accommodate John Patrick Flueger’s leave of absence. Upon Flueger’s return, we’d learn via a conversation between Ruzek and Burgess that Bob’s health was getting much worse, with the doctors informing Ruzek that his dad likely only had a few months to live.
From the moment this update was provided, we had a feeling that Bob’s death would occur sometime before the season ended and that sadly proved to be the case.
It was a heartbreaking end to Bob’s time on the show, but one that was so beautifully written and acted. We were worried that Bob’s death might occur off-screen, and we’re grateful that the writers found a way to bring Coleman back for Bob’s sendoff. Those final scenes with Coleman and Flueger were gut-wrenching to watch, but made Bob’s death so much more impactful than an off-screen death would have had.
The episode was one of the best hours the show has delivered in a long time, and is one that will stick with fans for years to come.
