Eugene Rezabeck

July 31, 1926 - September 3, 2017 Eugene Joseph Rezabeck (Gene) died peacefully September 3, 2017 at Belmont Village Assisted Living in Carol Stream, Illinois. He was 91 years old. He was a generous, articulate and devoted friend and family man. He delighted in time spent with his extended family and we will miss him dearly. Born July 31, 1926 to Bertha and Joseph Rezabeck, Gene grew up on Chicago's NE side, attending Reinberg and St. Bartholomew Elementary Schools. In 1945 he graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois. Shortly thereafter, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Philippines onboard the USS Oyster Bay PT Tender during WWII as a Motor Machinist Mate. After the war, Gene returned to Chicago where he attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), graduating in 1950 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He was the first to receive a Bachelor's degree in his family. He felt that education was a key to success in life and encouraged his children and grandchildren to pursue higher learning opportunities. While at IIT, Gene became a member of Triangle Fraternity (an engineering, architect and scientific focused fraternity). After graduation he continued to participate in Triangle Fraternity activities and eventually served as National President. He strongly supported the Triangle Educational Foundation. Gene married Ellen Grubel the day after college graduation since he had promised his mother to get his degree before marrying. At the time of his passing, they had been married sixty-seven years. They raised 4 children together in Wheaton, Illinois. Gene worked as a Sales Engineer for the General Electric Company his entire career. After retirement, he and Ellen traveled extensively, including cruises in the Caribbean as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Europe. Gene enjoyed golf and played everywhere he traveled. His family will remember the many reunions, from the mid-west to the east coast, which he hosted. He loved watching the Chicago Cubs and was delighted when they won the World Series last year. He and his blue Cubs baseball cap were inseparable. Eight years ago Gene made the loving decision to sell the family home and move with Ellen to assisted living where she could receive proper care. The family would like to express our gratitude to the staff at Belmont Village Assisted Living in Carol Stream, Illinois and Northwestern Home Health and Hospice, for their skill and kindness as they cared for Gene until his passing. He is survived by his wife Ellen Rezabeck; children Cathy Rezabeck (Mike Goodwin), John Rezabeck (Julia Rezabeck), Barb Meyer (Don Meyer), and Nancy Eckman (Rolland Eckman); grandchildren Sarah May, Emily Meyer, Rebecca Senne, Neil Eckman, Ken Eckman, and Tyler Goodwin; step grandchildren Samuel O'Ferrall and Lucy O'Ferrall; great-grandchildren Carter and Caleb May, Tobias and Elijah Cascio, Andrew Eckman, and Amelia and Theo Senne; sister-in-law Josephine Grubel; niece Jan Deem and nephew Herb Grubel. The family will gather at a future time in the Chicago area to remember Gene's life and how deeply he touched us all. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any educational institution or other charity of your choice.