Obituary of Robert "Bob" Grabnik

Robert A. Grabnik (Bob), of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, passed away at Lakeview Hospital in Waterford, Wisconsin, surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 28, 2021 following an accident on September 6th. Bob was born in Chicago on July 18, 1947, the son of Anton and Ann Grabnik. He attended Avon Grade School, Grayslake High School, and received his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in School Psychology from Illinois State University. He married Sandra DeVore Grabnik on June 20, 1971 in Monroe Center, Illinois, and together they had two children, Tara and Tad. Bob served in the United States Army from 1971 until 1974, spending 2 1/2 years at the Infantry Board at Fort Benning, Georgia. He worked for the Equitable Insurance Company for 28 years before retiring and moving to South Carolina in 2002. After 16 years in South Carolina they returned to Illinois to be near their family. Bob was a member of the Winthrop Harbor Lions Club where he served a year as President and won the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He also served on the Winthrop Harbor School Board. Bob was an avid White Sox fan, golfer, and fisherman. He enjoyed many trips to Canada with his son and friends for week long fishing trips. He played the guitar for many years and especially enjoyed Beatles music and teaching his son and grandson how to play the guitar. Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra; children, Tara (Les) Niemi of Winthrop Harbor, and Tad (Ellie Ryan) Grabnik of Waukegan, Illinois; three grandchildren, Aidan Niemi, Ella Grabnik, and Cody Grabnik; and many cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ann and Tony Grabnik. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 9:00 until 11:30 a.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to White Sox Charities have been suggested.