Robert Ames Mack

1938 - 2023

Robert "Bob" Ames Mack went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 16, 2023. Bob was an accomplished chemist, business owner, missionary, educator, and consultant, but more importantly, a faithful Christian, wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to so many.

Bob was born April 8, 1938 in Chicago to Sydney and Lillian Gertrude (Walls) Mack. He was raised in Crystal Lake, Illinois where he grew up with many lifelong friends. He attended Crystal Lake High School and was an accomplished athlete who participated in several sports, particularly football. He continued his athletic career by playing football at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. It was there that he met the love of his life, Marilyn "Holly" Hollis. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, Bob married Holly in 1960.

Bob and Holly eventually settled in the Aurora area with their growing family, which included six children, Robin (Tommy) Walker, Robert "Bob", Rodney (Alejandra) Mack, Timothy "Tim", Holly (Keith) Senator, and Joshua "Josh" (Naomi) Mack.

In short time, Bob would lead his family's industrial chemical business, S.H. Mack & Company, into a thriving business, particularly after he dedicated his life and business to the Lord.

Bob's faith and family were the two most important things in his life. He gave his life to Christ after several years of marriage and the Godly, loving witness of Holly. Bob was never the same and would live the rest of his life as a servant leader on mission for the Kingdom of God. He served His Savior faithfully over the years, including dedicating his company to the Lord and to Biblical Christian principles. After Bob invented an industry revolutionizing product, the company flourished and had a tremendous influence in the marketplace as well as the local community. Bob cherished the opportunity to employ many friends and members of his church and family.

Bob also had a heart for education. He helped found Covenant Christian School in Aurora, which he was passionately dedicated to until his passing.

After selling S.H. Mack & Company in the early 1980's, Bob and Holly moved their family to El Paso, Texas then later to Kona, Hawaii to focus on developing missions organizations, most especially Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and YWAM's University of the Nations.

Bob never lost his love for science and chemistry, working as a chemical consultant, entrepreneur, manager, and inventor his entire life.

Bob was known for his endless charisma, charming smile, sharp intellect, wonderful sense of humor, and quick wit. His humor, along with his love and dedication to others, made him an adored father and friend. Bob fully dedicated himself to living like Christ. He was very generous with what God entrusted to him and lived sacrificially, always desiring to invest more in people, relationships, causes, and organizations he believed in rather than earthly possessions. Bob was a wise counselor and trusted friend who always believed in and saw the best in others.

The greatest testimony to Bob's life is the legacy he leaves for and in his children and grandchildren, all of whom love, know, and follow God like their beloved dad and grandpa. Although we all miss Bob dearly, we have a blessed hope that we will be reunited with him in heaven, along with his sons Bob and Josh. Bob is living his best ever life right now, and we all say well done good and faithful servant!

Bob is survived by his wife Holly, four of their six children, as well as seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren (with another two currently on the way). Bob is also survived by his sister, Sydney Miller and many loving nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William "Bill" Mack, as well as two of his sons, Bob and Josh.

A service celebrating Bob's life will be held at Village Bible Church, 847 North State Road 47, Sugar Grove, Illinois 60554, on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 3:30pm. A reception will follow at the church. The service will be available via livestream at this link: https://boxcast.tv/view/robert-mack-dkzew3ztztsnxd1kolqa.

A private graveside service for family will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Aurora.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Bob can be made to Covenant Christian School, found online at www.covenantchristianaurora.org. There is an online "Give" button with additional prompts. Checks are also gratefully accepted, payable to Covenant Christian School, 635 North Randall Road, Aurora, IL 60506. For more information, please call CCS at (630) 801-7955.

Services entrusted to The Healy Chapel in Aurora. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.healychapel.com 630-897-9291.