Obituary of Robert Dretske

Robert Frederick Dretske, born 7/18/1927 in Waukegan, Illinois to loving parents Fred Ewald Dretske and Hattie Lenore (Wallschlaeger) Dretske. To complete the family, Bob was blessed with a brother, Fred Erwin (Judith Fortson) and a very loving sister Joan Irene (Tim Cordon).

He attended Whittier Grade School and Waukegan TWP High School where he was a Captain in the ROTC. Upon graduation on 1/27/1946, Bob enlisted in the Army along with four of his classmate buddies.

When Bob was 16, Pastor A.C. Bartz asked him to be a Sunday School teacher and continued to teach throughout his life except for his time in the Service. The last 20 years of his 52 years with the Sunday School he was Superintendent. Bob also served as President of the congregation three times, and as Elder three times.

In 1944 The American Legion baseball team of Waukegan won its first State of Illinois championship on which Bob was the short stop.

Bob served in the 38^th Infantry, 2^nd Division at Camp Carson, Colorado, then transfered to the 5^th Army in the same Camp to head the Film Library where he became acquainted with photography for the Army.

Upon discharge he went to work at Cyclone Fence Company, in North Chicago, Illinois. Four years later, under the "The GI Bill" program, he received the Journeyman Electricians rating. As time went by, because of his training in Service he began to photograph weddings of family and friends on weekends.

Bob married Lou Jean Alfano (Rosenau) on September 25, 1948.

In 1957 when things slowed at Cyclone Fence, Bob and his wife, Lou Jean felt it would be best to start a photographic business. In 1958 they built a studio on Greenwood Ave, Waukegan. Bob retired on his birthday July 18, 1993, after years of serving many on their special occasions and enjoying the fellowship of many new friends that came with the business.

Though Bob had the basic photographic training in the Service, in 1960, Kodak came to him and suggested he take more advanced training. This led him to join The Professional Photographers of Northern Illinois and the Professional Photographers of America. He began summer courses with the Professional Photographers School of America at Winona, Indiana. He completed 9 different courses. After these classes he was asked to teach at this same school, which he did for 4 years.

Over the years Bob received many awards. In 1962 one of his portraits received a Special Award at the PPA convention in Texas, and the Kodak Company asked him if they could display it at their exhibit at the New York World’s Fair. In 1967 he received the Master of Photography Degree, and in 1973 he received the Photographic Craftsman Degree.

During the 1960 & 70's he received many trophies and awards including "Best Photographer in the State in Illinois" and "Best of out of State Photographer for Wisconsin."

On February 14^th, 1973, the Lord took his loving wife (Lou Jean Alfano [Rosenau]) home to heaven. Lou Jean and Bob were blessed with three wonderful children:

Jean E. (Noffsinger) (Jeff Bogue)

Robert F. Jr. (Laurie Davidson)

James L. (Cindy Fluegge)

On June 29, 1974, Bob married Marilyn Lindemann (Hadsell). Marilyn had two children:

Scott Wayne Lindemann (Jodi Skarbalus)

Lisa Kaye Lindemann (Dan Bero)

Grandchildren: Philip Dretske (Becky Brien), Heather Noffsinger (Doug Carlson), Brian Dretske (Sarah Cheaney), Bryce Noffsinger, Michelle Dretske (Jeff Curcio), Lisa Dretske (Stephen Byron), Drew Lindemann (Dawn Bettasso), Jordan Lindemann (Alix Gross), and Christian Lindemann.            

Great Grandchildren: Alexia, Mason, Xerek, Ethan, Joey, Morgan, Tyler, Jessa, Maleya, Caleb, Rachel, Hunter Jack, Kinsley Jean, Hunter, Lydia, Summer, Mabel.      

Bob has many cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as many loving friends.

Marilyn Ruth (Hadsell, Lindemann, Dretske) was called home to heaven on the 23rd of September 2000. Bob was married to Lou Jean for 24 ½ years and to Marilyn Ruth for 25½ years.

Visitation will take place Friday, March 22, 2024 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waukegan, IL from 10:00 to 11:00 am with a funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at North Shore Garden of Memories with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church:

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1310 N Frolic Ave, Waukegan, IL  60085, www.ilwaukegan.com