Robert Roy Bird

WAUKEGAN, ILL./GRAYSLAKE, ILL.– Robert R. "Bob" Bird, age 85, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital, in Madison, WI. He was born on July 17, 1930 in Kansas City, MO, the son of John Robert and Edwinna Julia (Kaufman) Bird. Bob lived in Kansas City until he was 8 yrs. old, then moved to Tustin, CA and graduated from Tustin High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor and subsequently at the Great Lakes Naval Academy. There he met his future wife, R. Lee Pratt, and they were married on March 1, 1952. They started their family in Waukegan, IL where Bob worked for North Shore Lumber. He was an active member of the Waukegan Jaycees and was a past treasurer. After 15 years and a change in career, Bob relocated his family to Grayslake, IL where he worked for the Butter Hardware Company until his retirement. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, and following sports, but his passions were playing cribbage and on-line poker. In recent years, he especially loved spending time with his daughter Laurie, her husband Kris, and their dog, Luke. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and his incredible positive attitude brought joy and sunshine to all who knew him. He is survived by his children, Bob (Celeste) Bird of Dallas, TX; Catherine (Hans) Rudnick of Wilster, Germany; Laurie (Kris) Hughes of Madison, WI; Sherry (Bob) Sulisz and their daughter, his only grandchild, Olivia, of Macomb, MI; and a sister, Carol Matney of Springfield, OH. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John E. "Jack" Bird, former wife, R. Lee Bird, and companion, Patricia Closs. An informal gathering will be held on Wed., Dec. 2, 2015 from 12pm until 1pm in the chapel at Highland Memorial Park, 3300 N. Hunt Club Rd., Libertyville, IL, where burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob's name to the charity of your choice. A special thanks goes to the staff on the 4th floor, Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital and the hospital's Hospice Community Living Center for taking wonderful care of "Birdy". Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.