Obituary of Robert Reif

Robert Reif, 90 years young, of Waukegan, IL died August 29, 2017 in Waukegan, IL.

Robert “Bob” Reif was born July 5, 1927 and raised in Sheboygan, WI, by Harry and Wilma Reif until he joined the Navy on July 2, 1945, just prior to his 17th birthday.  He earned his Graduate Degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL.  Robert married Virginia May Mitchell on October 29, 1949, in Sheboygan, WI.  Bob and Ginny would have celebrated 68 years of marriage this October.

Bob died the evening of August 29, 2017, at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, IL following a cardiac event and long battle with various illnesses.

Bob retired and ended his naval career at Naval Station Great Lakes after 20 years of service to our country as a Chief and Corman. He received the Good Conduct medal, National Defense Service medal, American Campaign medal, and the World War II Victory medal. He worked for Louis’s Restaurant, Stone Container Corp., Mac Realty and before retiring he was partners in ownership to a metal fabricating company. 

He was an avid bowler, ferocious gardener and serious fisherman.  His joy and passion for fishing surpassed all else. He spent countless hours in his boat with his son David tying to catch that “one” fish. His talents in the kitchen as Chief/Chef of our house yielded amazing pizza at our traditional family gatherings as he perfected it over the years and we were the lucky recipients of the delicious pies.  Our father was the one that we all went to for advice on finances, real estate, gardening and any other subject you can name. He was the smartest man we knew.  He was a loving father, son, and brother. The “dash” between his birth and death left a large impact on all that knew him. In the words of Linda Ellis  “The Dash” -  “For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.”

He is survived by his wife Virginia “Ginny” and four children, Mitchell Reif, Linda Reif-Melius and her husband Jim, daughter Alison and son Max; David Reif, his wife Tracy, son Jason and his wife Cierra, and daughter Katie; Susan Reif-Eng, sons Bryant and Christian; Son-in-Law Jim Fantus and sons Michael and Partner Steven Styrsky and son Richard and Matthew and his wife Natalie and son Peter. Preceded in death was his beloved daughter Bobbie Fantus and his sister Barbara Reif and brother John “Hunts” Reif.

Memorial Services were private.