April
04,
1936
04,
1936
October
24,
2022
24,
2022
Robert Rhodes Fuzak, Sr. was born on April 4th, 1936, to William G. and Lorene J. Fuzak, Sr. in Champaign, IL. As the second of three children, he had an older brother, William Jr., and younger sister, Alexis. During his formative years he played sports, excelling at both football and baseball. He attended high school at Crystal Lake and Downers Grove North and obtained a B.A. from Michigan State University in 1959. While at MSU, he met his future wife, Jerry Anne and married on November 27, 1958. As a dedicated husband and father, he and his wife Jerry raised 4 children in Lisle, IL.
Bob had a successful career at Sears, starting as a salesman in the hardware department, and retiring 38 years later as an Executive Senior Buyer for Craftsman tools. He took great pride in the quality of his work; his commitment to going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction was a staple in his work ethic. His kids were always proud that they could say, “our dad works in the Sears Tower!”
After retirement, he and Jerry moved to their lake home in Sandwich, IL, where they would host a variety of family events and gatherings over the years. Thanksgiving was Bob’s favorite holiday to host. He was happiest during family reunions, where the “Fuzapalooza” tradition began.
Bob loved being around people–his endearing charm and witty sense of humor made him the life of the party. Bob also enjoyed attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events, trap shooting, deer hunting, collecting guns, his 1928 Model A Ford, collecting and organizing family photos, and pulling for his beloved MSU Spartans.
Many of Bob's favorite memories were made on family vacations traveling the U.S. and Canada, with the goal of never going to the same place twice. A few special trips included traveling jointly with his siblings’ families. He and Jerry also made several international journeys, including trips to The Holy Land, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and many other places. They also continued touring domestically in their Motor Coach across the country taking part in trap shooting tournaments, making time to see family and friends, and bringing their beloved dog Rhone along the way.
Bob and Jerry maintained a strong Catholic faith throughout their marriage and were passionate in their love and belief of our Savior Jesus Christ. Bob’s impact was significant in the lives of many, especially his family and those with whom he worked during his career at Sears. We continue to learn of the positive impact he had on people’s lives, even in the past few days.
Bob took his final breath on October 24th, 2022, at 11:11 a.m., passing peacefully with his wife of nearly 64 years by his side. Just a few hours before his death, his last words to her were “I love…”
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother William Jr. (Bill). Bob is remembered by his loving wife Jerry Anne, his 4 children–Bob Jr. and Elizabeth (Kentnich), Andy and Karen (Bombliss), Fred and Jyeton (Davis), Teresa and Kyle Morgan; 9 grandchildren–Travis (Rachel Van Handel), Chandler, Bennett, Dylan, Desiree, Joshua (Britta Geaschel), Abigail, Arabella, Emerson; 4 great grandchildren–Addison, Jonah, Jaxon, Noelle; 3 additional ‘adopted’ grandchildren–Nicole, Christina, and Antoinette; his sister Alexis (Mark) Hyerdall, his sister in-law Dixie Fuzak, and countless additional relatives and friends that have been made over the many years.
As Bob would say, “…that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!”
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday November 4, 2022 at Turner Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk, IL. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday November 5, 2022 at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandwich, IL. All are invited to a luncheon following the service at the church. A celebration of Bob’s life will follow the luncheon location to be determined
.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Bob be sent to:
St. Paul's Church Donation for - St. Vincent DePaul Society 340 W. Arnold Rd. Sandwich, IL 60548 (815) 786-9266 or
Fox Valley Community Services 1406 Suydam Road Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-9404
For more information or to sign the online guestbook please go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 W. Route 34 ~ P.O. Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
(815) 498-2363
Bob had a successful career at Sears, starting as a salesman in the hardware department, and retiring 38 years later as an Executive Senior Buyer for Craftsman tools. He took great pride in the quality of his work; his commitment to going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction was a staple in his work ethic. His kids were always proud that they could say, “our dad works in the Sears Tower!”
After retirement, he and Jerry moved to their lake home in Sandwich, IL, where they would host a variety of family events and gatherings over the years. Thanksgiving was Bob’s favorite holiday to host. He was happiest during family reunions, where the “Fuzapalooza” tradition began.
Bob loved being around people–his endearing charm and witty sense of humor made him the life of the party. Bob also enjoyed attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events, trap shooting, deer hunting, collecting guns, his 1928 Model A Ford, collecting and organizing family photos, and pulling for his beloved MSU Spartans.
Many of Bob's favorite memories were made on family vacations traveling the U.S. and Canada, with the goal of never going to the same place twice. A few special trips included traveling jointly with his siblings’ families. He and Jerry also made several international journeys, including trips to The Holy Land, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and many other places. They also continued touring domestically in their Motor Coach across the country taking part in trap shooting tournaments, making time to see family and friends, and bringing their beloved dog Rhone along the way.
Bob and Jerry maintained a strong Catholic faith throughout their marriage and were passionate in their love and belief of our Savior Jesus Christ. Bob’s impact was significant in the lives of many, especially his family and those with whom he worked during his career at Sears. We continue to learn of the positive impact he had on people’s lives, even in the past few days.
Bob took his final breath on October 24th, 2022, at 11:11 a.m., passing peacefully with his wife of nearly 64 years by his side. Just a few hours before his death, his last words to her were “I love…”
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother William Jr. (Bill). Bob is remembered by his loving wife Jerry Anne, his 4 children–Bob Jr. and Elizabeth (Kentnich), Andy and Karen (Bombliss), Fred and Jyeton (Davis), Teresa and Kyle Morgan; 9 grandchildren–Travis (Rachel Van Handel), Chandler, Bennett, Dylan, Desiree, Joshua (Britta Geaschel), Abigail, Arabella, Emerson; 4 great grandchildren–Addison, Jonah, Jaxon, Noelle; 3 additional ‘adopted’ grandchildren–Nicole, Christina, and Antoinette; his sister Alexis (Mark) Hyerdall, his sister in-law Dixie Fuzak, and countless additional relatives and friends that have been made over the many years.
As Bob would say, “…that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!”
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday November 4, 2022 at Turner Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk, IL. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday November 5, 2022 at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandwich, IL. All are invited to a luncheon following the service at the church. A celebration of Bob’s life will follow the luncheon location to be determined
.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Bob be sent to:
St. Paul's Church Donation for - St. Vincent DePaul Society 340 W. Arnold Rd. Sandwich, IL 60548 (815) 786-9266 or
Fox Valley Community Services 1406 Suydam Road Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-9404
For more information or to sign the online guestbook please go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 W. Route 34 ~ P.O. Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
(815) 498-2363
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Rhodes Fuzak Sr., please visit our flower store.