Robert Bob E. McNamara

Robert E. McNamara was a modest man, quiet and observant in his ways. He was trustworthy and traditional in his approach to his life and in his relationships. He was tough-minded with the kind of “stick to it” attitude that earned the respect of all who knew him. He was also a man who was meticulous, carefully disciplined, and orderly in virtually everything he undertook. Realistic about life, he was always at the ready, prepared to take on responsibility.

He was the son of James and Leah (Hebert) McNamara and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bob was raised with five siblings. He had two older brothers, Jim and Paul; two younger brothers, John and Ray, and one younger sister, Ruth. Coming from such a large family and with quite a wide age range from oldest to youngest, life was very interesting for Bob, the middle child.

A typical teenager, Bob had a happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood, graduating in 1933.

On August 26, 1939, Robert married Mildred Catherine Kessler at Saint Tarcissus Church in Chicago, Illinois. Being raised by devout Catholic parents, he took his wedding vows very seriously and was devoted to Mildred all her life.

Bob worked hard to be a good father to his children. He and Mildred were blessed with four children: Mary Leah, Robert Jr., Patrick and Katherine. Another blessing for them was the gift of six grandchildren: Nicole, Michelle, Patricia, Rebecca, David and Connor, and two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Claire.

Bob enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, he worked diligently and was very successful in his chosen profession. His primary occupation was as a Sales Representative with the Eastman Kodak Company for 36 years. But photography was not just his occupation, it was his avocation. He was always seen with camera in hand and took many beautiful pictures both on business travels and on vacations with his family. Some of his photos earned awards in the International Salon of Photography. In his retirement, Bob put together a one-man show which was on display at the Mesa Public Library.

Bob was a WWII veteran of the US Army, serving in the South Pacific from December 1942 to October 1945. With the United States just coming through the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was a lot to be done, and times were tough. Through his hard work, he achieved the rank of Sergeant with the Signal Corps. He received several awards recognizing him for his service, including a Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

In addition to photography, Bob’s leisure -time pursuits included coin collecting and reading all he could about UFOs. Though some of these hobbies were by their nature solitary, he was always happy to show his photos or coins to anyone interested or to discuss the real possibility of life on other planets!

Bob enjoyed playing golf….especially in Arizona where they retired in 1980 and where the golfing season is a little longer than in the Midwest. He also enjoyed going to a few Cubs spring training games at HoHoKam Park in Mesa each year. Watching televised boxing bouts was another sport he enjoyed.

True to his religious beliefs and wanting to help those less fortunate, he (and Mildred) became active in the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Mesa, volunteering in the food pantry for 30 years.

Bob's faith was important to him. He became a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus in the 1950’s while a member of St. George Parish in Tinley Park, Il. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona for seventeen years, and All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa for twelve years.

A devoted husband, when Mildred became ill in 1993 and had to be placed in a nursing home, Bob visited her every day until her death in 1999.

Bob moved back to the Midwest in 2009 and lived in Lisle until his death.

Bob passed away on March 11, 2010 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois from complications of COPD. He is survived by his children: Mary Leah Prazak, Patrick McNamara and Katherine (Craig) Sherwood; his grandchildren: Nicole and Michelle Martin, Patricia (Brad) Foley, Rebecca (Eric) Ewan, David Prazak and Connor Sherwood; his great-grandchildren Nathan and Claire Foley; his brother, Raymond (Marilyn) McNamara; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

Visitation Monday, March 15, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle, Illinois (on Rt. 53, 1/2 mile south of Ogden Ave.). Funeral Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 9:15 a. m., and proceeding to Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 820 Division St., Lisle, IL for Mass at 10:00 a. m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, Holy Cross Parish, 1244 S. Power Road, Mesa, Arizona 85208. For information, www.Blake-LambFuneralHome. com For additional information, you may call the funeral home at (630) 964-9392.

Simply stated, Bob was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Bob leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Robert E. McNamara.

OBITUARY

Robert Emmett McNamara, 94, late of Lisle and formerly of Mesa, AZ, Woodridge, Washington and Tinley Park, IL, beloved husband of 59 years of the late Mildred C., nee Kessler; loving father of Mary Leah (the late Raymond) Prazak, the late Robert E. Jr., Patrick and Katherine Anne (Craig) Sherwood; devoted grandfather of Nicole and Michelle Martin, Patricia (Brad) Foley, Rebecca (Eric) Ewan, David Prazak and Connor Sherwood; doting great-grandfather to Nathan and Claire Foley (and joyfully anticipating his third great-grandchild); loving brother of Raymond B. (Marilyn) McNamara of Inman, SC; cherished uncle, great-uncle, godfather, of dozens and friend to all he ever met. Thirty-year member St. Vincent DePaul Society, Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Fr. C. C. Boyle Council 4698. Veteran U.S. Army WWII (Guadalcanal). Funeral Tuesday 9:15 a.m. from the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave. on Rt. 53 (1/2 mile South of Ogden Ave. Rt. 34), Lisle to St. Joan of Arc Church. Mass 10 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation Monday 3 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, Holy Cross Parish, 1244 S. Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85208. For information www.Blake-LambFuneralHome.com 630-964-9392.