Robert Barnes Gear Jr.

1933 - 2014

Robert Barnes Gear, Jr., 81, a long time resident of Hinsdale and Golfview Hills, passed away on December 29th at Plymouth Place where he had been a resident since September of 2013. He was born February 18, 1933 in Chicago to Robert B. Gear, Sr. and Lucy Weist Gear. On August 6, 1955 Bob married Paulette Zimmerman in Chicago. They were married for nearly 52 years before Paulette passed away. Bob was a graduate of Morgan Park Military Academy; he graduated from Purdue University with a degree in electrical engineering. He also served in the Army Reserves during college and for many years after, obtaining the rank of Captain. Bob worked first for G&W Electrical Specialty Company and later starting around 1980-81 for USi Underground Systems, INC. He was a member of IEEE, was very active for many years in planning as well as speaking at their conferences held twice a year. Bob loved being a high voltage engineer and stayed busy helping trouble shoot issues in many of our large US cities. His work with G&W as well as USi had him travel all over the world. Bob loved stamp collecting, beginning at an early age and continued till recently. He was frequently trading or selling stamps. Along with stamp collecting, he was a Wizard of Oz fanatic and had a huge collection as well. Bob was an avid bowler, starting with the Five Neighbors bowling team; he only missed Friday night bowling if he was out of town on business and bowled for nearly 50 years on a team. During the years, he lived in Golfview Hills; he was an active member of the Johnson Slough Yacht Club and served as commodore as well as several other positions. He loved to sail and was frequently found racing his boat on Sunday afternoons. Bob was also a proud member of the Mayflower Society and in later years, spent a lot of time on the family tree of both his family as well as Paulette's. After Paulette's death in 2007, he became very active with the St. Thomas bereavement groups, which he enjoyed helping others immensely. Bob is survived by his daughters, Anne (Andy) Sulskis and Kathy (Lee) Smith, his son, Bob (Ann); 7 grandchildren: Katie, Julie, Bob and Michael Gear, Marcus and Kurt Sulskis and Albert Smith. He is also survived by his two brothers, Donn (Dee) Gear and Harry (Tonnie) Gear as well as many cousins and dear friends. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations in Bob's name can be made to Adventist St. Thomas Hospice, P.O. Box 130, Hinsdale, IL 60522-0130. Arrangements made by Gibbons Elliston Funeral Home, Hinsdale, 630-323-0275