Robert J. Kutella, 77 of Mount Prospect, IL was born October 15, 1943 and passed away October 8, 2021. Robert was the beloved husband of the late Kathleen Ann Kutella; loving father of Michael (Azure) Kutella; cherished grandfather of Kathleen Violet Kutella; fond brother-in-law of Carnie (Don) Baker and their families; and dear friend of many years of Barbara Lanphier.
Robert graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology, where he got his degree in chemical engineering. His employers were Corn Products, Kraft Foods, and Nutrasweet. In his college days, he became a member of the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL where he was very involved, using his engineering and woodworking skills to help develop the museum. Following retirement the museum was a main focus of his life until ill health forced him to stop. He was an avid wood worker and helped bring the OWWM “Old Wood Working Machines” group, a virtual organization of woodworkers to an in person meeting once a year at the Illinois Railway Museum. Robert was an avid hiker until his health forced him to stop and had hiked various sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Robert was a man of vision and a loyal friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 14 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM with a service at 1:30PM at Lauterburg-Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. Interment to follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Robert to the Illinois Railway Museum 7000 Olson Road, Union, IL 60180 or The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 appreciated.
In consideration of the safety of our guests and associates, Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home will ask that proper social distancing be practiced and all guests wear face masks at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lauterburgoehler.com for the Kutella family.
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