Robert E. Bruce

Robert Erwin Bruce Jr. from River Forest and Oak Park, Illinois died peacefully in Lebanon, Illinois on Monday, January 13, 2025. Born in 1939 to Robert and Ruth Bruce Sr. of Oak Park with his twin sister, Priscilla, Bob began his life with two sisters on Scoville Avenue. He attended Hawthorne grade school and went on to letter in three sports, football, basketball and baseball at Oak Park River Forest High School in the graduating class of 1957. Next, he attended Taylor University, playing all three sports and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Social Studies Education. He served three years (1962-1965) in the United States Marines and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in 1965. He continued on with his education earning two Masters degrees in 1966 from the University of Illinois M. Ed, Guidance and Counseling and in 1976 from Loyola University M. Ed, Administration and Supervision. He spent nine summers from 1979-88 at the University of Illinois at Chicago as a Guidance Counselor for incoming students.

Bob married his beloved wife Roberta “Robin” Hargreaves from Malvern, PA on June 21, 1969. They raised three children in River Forest, Jennifer, Bonnie, and Robert “Rob” lll. Bob was a Guidance Counselor at Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois for 25 faithful years. Over those years he also coached many basketball teams. Bob was a lifetime devoted member of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, where over the years he served on the church board, volunteered in Boys’ Brigade, on the softball team, the church bus driver, and lead the church’s bowling league. During his retirement years, his joy was traveling with Robin to watch his son play baseball as well as playing golf with friends. He also served on the board of the Oak Park YMCA and volunteered weekly as a counselor for Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Robin H. Bruce. He is survived by his two sisters, Joyce O’Brien and Priscilla Bruce, his three children Jennifer (Brad) Giemza, Bonnie (Tom) Krumsieg, Robert (Erin) Bruce lll as well as 11 grandchildren Jackson Giemza, Abigail Giemza, Ellie (Micah) Forshee, Jonathan (Nikki) Krumsieg, David Krumsieg, Luke (Elizabeth) Krumsieg, Grace Krumsieg, Hannah Krumsieg, Naomi Krumsieg, Fiona Bruce and Robert “Bobby” Bruce and 4 great grandchildren Ezra, Elianna, & Hazel Krumsieg and Robin Forshee who all brightened his days.

Chapel Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 25 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home in Forest Park, Illinois with visitation at the funeral home from 10-11am. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois.

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