Robert Eugene Tolley

NOVI, MICHIGAN / ST. JOHN, IN – Robert “Bob” Eugene Tolley, age 83, peacefully passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021. Bob was born November 28, 1937 in Hammond, IN and was a 1955 graduate of Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City, IL. He and Jackie were united in marriage on August 10, 1957 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing, IL. They were soon off to Purdue, where he received his bachelor of science and master of science in Mechanical Engineering in 1962 and 1963, respectively, and was invited to be part of the honorary academic fraternities of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma. After a brief stint at Olin Mathieson, Winchester Western Division, Bob worked for Calumet Machine & Welding, Inc., becoming President and CEO. In “retirement,” Bob remained active, consulting on many projects including the expansion of an oil re-refinery well into his 70s. Bob was always active in the community, serving on the volunteer fire department, the civil defense, as well as part of the police commission. He was a freemason since 1960, serving as Worshipful Master of the Gary Lodge in 2001 and, later, at San Gabriel Lodge. He was an active Shriner, serving as Potentate of Orak Temple in 1997, and later became a member of Ben Hur Temple in Austin, TX. He was President of Woodmar Country Club in 1992, and a long-time board member of American Community Bank of Indiana. Bob thrived being around friends and family, maintaining life-long friendships from his time in northwest Indiana at Purdue and in Georgetown, TX where he and Jackie retired. Over his lifetime, he was a master machinist, trained welder, an avid golfer, fisherman, hunter, pilot and motorcycle rider. He was a loving husband, father and friend, and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jacqueline Ann (nee Weitemeyer) Tolley; parents, Robert Henry Tolley, Jr. and Verna Virginia (nee Sloan) Tolley; brother, Neal Kennenwood Tolley; son, Craig Dean Tolley; and daughter, Laura Ann Tolley. He is survived by his son, Brad (Julie) of Northville, MI; nieces, Lynn, Jana, Sheri, Carie, Teri and their families, and a host of many dear friends. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Thursday, September 23rd from 3:00-7:00 PM at the funeral home. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, located at 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN. Interment to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Crown Point, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/ways-to-give1). Online condolences may be left at chapellawnfunerals.com.