Robert E. Carmody

Robert �Bob� E. Carmody, 73, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for, and loved on October 28, 2014. Bob fought a valiant battle against prostate cancer for many years. He was born on July 21, 1941 in Auburn, IL, the son of the late Henry and Clara (Katzoreck) Carmody. Bob married Gina Stapleton in 1964 and they had two children. He later married the love of his life, Judy Littlejohn, on July 18, 1981. They celebrated thirty-three years of marriage this year. Bob attended Auburn High School, then left to proudly serve in the US Army from 1958- 1961 as a fireman, and the Army Reserve from 1961-1964. He earned his GED during that time. He was stationed the longest in Anchorage, a place he loved and visited three more times after he left the service. In August Bob took his entire family on the trip of a lifetime to Alaska, and they received a private tour of the Fort Richardson Army Base. He was a trained firefighter, but after returning home could not secure a job because of age restrictions at the time. He chose a different career path, and was in sales most of his life. He started out selling beauty supplies for Hamrick�s Beauty Supply Company in the mid 60�s to early 70�s, and then began selling insurance for various companies. He eventually opened his own insurance company in 1985. He was the President of R.E. Carmody & Associates, Inc., where he worked until his death. He was a leader and mentor to those who worked for him, and Bob was as invested in their success as he was his own. He received numerous accolades over the years, including being a member of United American�s President�s Club and Pioneer Life�s President�s Roundtable. Bob always said enlisting in the Army and taking the Dale Carnegie course in his early 30�s changed his life. Both gave him the confidence and determination to overcome his humble beginnings and become the successful businessman, devoted husband and wonderful father he was. He was a man of integrity and his promise or handshake was as binding as any contract. He had numerous hobbies and was passionate about everything he did. When he took an interest in something he wanted to learn everything he could about the subject and would spend hours studying or training until he mastered it. Bob was a green belt in Karate, an amateur photographer, a certified Master scuba diver, an avid bike rider, a skilled marksman, and a proud member of the NRA. He logged hundreds of dives and rode 2,000 miles on his bike several years in a row. He was a member of the Springfield Bicycle Club and was a ride leader for many years. He also loved to play video poker. He looked forward to his monthly trips to the casino, and became an expert on which machines to play and what cards to hold. He hit a $40,000 royal flush this year, his biggest win ever. He loved nature and some of his most enjoyable days were spent working in his yard. He could often be found sitting on his lawn mower or standing in the woods behind his house, stopping to take in the beauty of his surroundings and counting his blessings. He was a deer hunter for over 30 years, until one day he realized he could no longer shoot such a beautiful animal and was instead content to enjoy watching all the deer and wildlife that were right outside his kitchen window. Bob enjoyed traveling, and did so extensively for work and pleasure. He and Judy took numerous trips, tours and cruises, one of their most memorable being a Tauck tour to the Canadian Rockies. He also took the entire family on many adventures, including dive trips to Bonaire, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. �We�re making memories� became a family motto, especially after Bob�s diagnosis. Bob loved life and found laughter, joy, and beauty in every day God gave him. He cherished his time and relationships with family the most. His son-in-laws, Jeff and Chet, were like sons to him and he shared his passion for biking, diving, guns, and gambling with both of them. Bob knew his daughters would be loved and well cared for when he was gone, and that gave him great peace. He was a member of Calvary Temple Church, where he served as an usher and sang in the choir for many years. Bob provided faithful inspiration to his family throughout his life, and especially during his illness. In his final days he had an acceptance and peace about him that only comes from knowing God. Bob was dearly loved by his family, and the grief created by his departure will remain in our hearts for our lifetimes. We will always remember his love for life, his infectious laugh, and how he faced his illness with abundant faith, amazing courage, remarkable strength and endless humor. He will be received in heaven by his parents, his Aunt and Uncle Marie and Jack Howe, and other family and friends that preceded him in death. To cherish his memory are Bob�s loving wife, Judy Carmody of Springfield; his daughters, Brenda Carmody-Price (Jeff) and Jennifer Bartlett (Chet) both of Springfield; his sisters, Cecelia DeSanti (John) of Pine, AZ, Margaret Ahrens of Sun City, AZ, and Kathy Hayes (Charlie) of Phoenix, AZ; his grandson, Bryan Bearden of Springfield; and grandchildren by marriage, Alex Luttrell and Jacob Bartlett; several nieces and nephews; and his much loved dog Bonnie, all of whom will miss him immensely. Our family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Willadsen, Dr. Srokowski and the staff at Springfield Clinic, and to Melissa and Lyndsie of Memorial Hospice for the excellent care Bob received and the support they gave us. Their genuine concern, sensitivity, and compassion helped us through a very difficult time. Bob�s family will greet friends from 5-7pm, Sunday, November 2, 2014, and from 9-10am, Monday, November 3, at Calvary Temple Christian Center, 1730 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL, 62702. Funeral ceremony will be conducted at 10am, Monday, November 3, at Calvary Temple, with Rev. Paul Rose officiating. Burial will follow at Auburn Cemetery. To celebrate Bob�s life, memorials may be sent to Calvary Temple Music Department, 1730 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL, 62702.