Robert Arquilla

Robert (Bob) Arquilla

Robert (Bob) Arquilla, 91, late of Palm Desert, CA and formerly of Flossmoor, IL, departed this world on December 1 after a short battle with cancer. He was the youngest son of George Arquilla, Sr. and Emelia (Pechacek) Arquilla. He was predeceased by his older brother, George, Jr. and his grandson, Jeffrey Farnell (formerly of Oak Brook). He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Tuti, his four children, Scott (Maggie), Roberta (Alan Farnell), Keith (Julie) and Bruce (Elizabeth) and ten grandchildren. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1943 and attended Lawrence College. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radioman/gunner on Martin Mariner PBM's in the Caribbean. After the war, he graduated from Northwestern University's School of Business and joined the family business, Burnside Construction Co., which built tens of thousands of homes in Chicago and the suburbs. In addition, he was a principal in Accurate Ready Mix, Bell Lumber & Supply Co., Best Homes, Inc., Alpha Construction Co. and Arquilla Industries, Inc. He was an active member of Olympia Fields Country Club since 1955 and Marrakesh Country Club in Palm Desert, where he served as Board President from 2003-2005. Bob was a past Director of the Glenwood School for Boys. He was a founder and Director of Heritage Glenwood Bank for many years. He served as Presidents of the Home Builders Association of Chicago, the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicagoland and the Residential Construction Employers Council, a Chicago area labor negotiation association. In 1974, Bob became VP and Secretary of the National Association of Home Builders, followed by annual terms as VP and Treasurer, First Vice President and ultimately President in 1977. He served on many NAHB Committees and task forces for forty years including President of the NAHB Research Center, and was one of the founders and first Chairman of the National Housing Endowment, NAHB's philanthropic arm. Bob was elected to the NAHB Hall of Fame in 1983, three years after his father was inducted. They were the first father and son team to be so honored. A memorial service will be held in May, 2018. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Housing Endowment, 1201 15th St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 or Glenwood Academy, 500 W. 187th St., Glenwood, IL 60425.