ROBERT EILERS

ROBERT EILERS Robert Kraft "Bob" Eilers, of Las Vegas, passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Bob confronted, with determination, stamina, grace and humor, the challenge of ALS over the past seven years. Bob's courage was inspirational for all those who witnessed his unrelenting struggle against this indomitable affliction also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Bob grew up in Evanston, Ill., with his younger siblings, Marita "Rita" Flasher and Thomas Dyell (Jeanette) Eilers. Their parents were Arthur Lutter Eilers, a Chicago attorney, and Hazel Kraft Eilers, an author and genealogist. Bob was active in sports and lettered on the Evanston Township High School rifle team. Bob served in a Military Police unit in the U.S. Army and then began his business career as an executive with Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago. Continuing his entrepreneurial career, he later owned and operated his own business as a wholesale distributor for Pepperidge Farms in Inverness, Ill., and as an Illinois real estate broker. In addition to maintaining his proficiency as an expert marksman, Bob was also a motorcycle enthusiast having made many cross country trips on one of his several motorcycles. In 1991, Bob and his wife, Sandra Leigh Eilers, retired to Las Vegas, where their home became the center for extended family reunions and gatherings. For over 20 years, Bob and Sandy were active in Small Paws Rescue, especially for Bichon Frise. Bob was also active and served on the Boards of the Desert Shores Community organization and Desert Sportsman Rifle Club. Bob was preceded in death by two sons, James Lyle Eilers and John Eilers. Bob is survived by his wife, Sandy; his siblings, Marita and Tom; sister-in-law, Jeanette; two daughters, Kathleen Paslaski and Patricia "Pattie" Seligmann; daughter-in-law, Mary Lou (Daniel) Kratochwill; grandsons, Bradley Eilers and Robert "Rob" Paslaski; granddaughters, Caroline Paslaski, Hillary Paslaski and Katherine Grace Seligmann; nephews, Christopher T. (Suzy) Eilers and Thomas B. (Nina) Eilers; nieces, Jennifer (Michael) Yelczyn, Erin Flasher, Laura (Patrick) Zimmer and Danelle (Michael Cozzi) Eilers. Bob was a member of the Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, and was sustained by his Christian faith and uplifted by the prayers of the faithful, in his challenge with ALS. Services pending in Winnetka, Ill.