Robert J. Di Leonardi

Robert J. Di Leonardi, 89, of Des Plaines, Chicago, and Hinsdale, Illinois, died July 11, 2023. Born March 7, 1934 to Nicholas and Filomena Di Leonardi of Chicago, Robert died after a multiyear battle with post-stroke complications. Bob’s humorousness, charisma and creativity, coupled with a robust passion for life and unwavering love for his family, defined him as a person and made him a special presence in the lives of many.

Bob was a municipal and zoning attorney in practice for over 50 years, 20 of those as the City Attorney for the City of Des Plaines, and nearly as long as attorney for the Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners Association. He loved the law and the practice of it, especially when it allowed him to meet the many clients and colleagues who over the years became dear friends. He was also, however, a firm believer in one’s profession defining what they did, not who they were. In furtherance of that belief he was, among other things, a talented pitcher on his high school baseball team and lifelong Cubs superfan; a gifted artist who worked regularly with oil paints and canvases his entire adult life; an amateur photographer with a knack for capturing fleeting but defining moments of city life; an avid sailor who enjoyed teaching others the magic of wind and water; and the author of occasional poems and short stories, as well as an engaging memoir he shared with family and close friends.

Through the many twists and turns his life path took over the years, the one unwavering constant was his love of, and dedication to, his family. In particular, he was a devoted and steady presence in the lives of his children, and in later years, his grandchildren. He reveled in the time spent together as a family, especially when that meant sitting together around a large table, enjoying copious portions of the type of Italian food that he loved and that defined his own childhood. He is also remembered as an especially enthusiastic participant in the annual family talent shows held after each Christmas dinner—perhaps most memorably for the year he appeared in full costume to perform a song as a vaudeville-era songstress.

As much as he enjoyed happy times with family, however, his commitment was perhaps the most evident during challenging times. He was often the first at the hospital after surgeries, the most persistent in pursuing access to the best doctors or facilities, the one with his eye always on bad weather conditions when he knew family members would be driving, and a dispenser of calming guidance during stressful times.

Robert was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, and his sister, Carmella (Wesley) Tanner. He is survived by his beloved wife Bette and Bette’s daughter Barbara; his son Robert (Debbie) DiLeonardi of Glencoe, his daughter Jean (Dennis) Paoli of Plainfield; grandchildren Nicholas DiLeonardi of Brooklyn, Molly DiLeonardi (Bader Alhamedi) of Chicago, Madeline DiLeonardi of Chicago, Caroline DiLeonardi of Manhattan, Beth (Michael) Cacioppo of Milwaukee, and Allison Paoli of St. Louis; and Barbara’s children Christian and Brooks Boules.

Friends and family will gather for a visitation for Robert that will be held Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by a memorial service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Beth DiLeonardi Memorial Scholarship Fund at Beloit College, by making a donation here and indicating it is being made in memory of Robert J. Di Leonardi: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/11176/donations/new?a=4863591&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=www.beloit.edu

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com for the Di Leonardi family.