Robert C. Burt

Robert ("Bob") Carey Burt, 78, of Flossmoor, IL, and formerly of Evergreen Park, IL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on July 4, 2022.

Robert entered the world amid the tumultuous backdrop of the Second World War. He and his mother, Patricia Carey, were not left unscathed by the war's tragic costs: His father, Nicholas J. Neises, a paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Division, was killed during the Invasion of Normandy.

His mother found love again and married Edward J. Burt, a Navy veteran who survived the USS Franklin bombing. Edward lovingly adopted Robert, and the couple raised him together. In the following years, he was blessed with three younger siblings, proudly taking on the role of cool big brother.

A Chicago Catholic who identified neighborhoods based on parishes, he belonged to Most Holy Redeemer parish and attended Brother Rice High School, where his fondness for literature burgeoned.

At John Carroll University, he developed a deep appreciation for Jesuit education and formed lifelong friendships. He spent countless hours discovering his favorite authors and writing for the school yearbook. He graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

He considered many career paths and contemplated accepting an offer with the Peace Corps, but he found his calling in teaching, nurturing young minds in a career spanning 42 years. He returned to Brother Rice, teaching literature and communications for eight years. His students nicknamed him "Surfer Bob" in reference to his blond hair and love of the Beach Boys. Later, he joined the English department at Oak Forest High School, and while teaching, he earned a Master of Arts from DePaul University in 1972.

A sports connoisseur, Robert cheered on the White Sox and followed college football and basketball. In his teaching years, he found great joy in mentoring students outside of the classroom as a cross country and track and field coach.

Though he held his professional achievements in high regard, his greatest (and proudest) accomplishment was raising his family of seven children alongside his wife of 51 years, Patricia, whose elegance and intelligence he praised. The foundation of their love was based on meaningful conversations that they carried on for hours. In his last days, he referred to her as his "bride."

As a father, Robert detected the innate gifts and strengths in each of his children. He once wrote:

"Don't be too quick to judge or pigeon-hole your children. Continue to look at their strengths and nurture those. Don't compare your children to other children. Always show your love, but be prepared to provide effective parenting - as you see it. Trust yourself."

Robert was an intellectual who sought out new words to express his inner thoughts; his affectionate nicknames for his children were filled with ingenuity, and sometimes silliness, to capture their distinct personalities.

A keen observer, he wrote stories of people he admired, including his dear uncle, the late William G. Carey. On weekends, he read biographies of his favorite musicians - from The Smiths to Brian Wilson - with a glass of fine wine. He once told his children that if he did not pursue a career in teaching, he would have loved to write an opera or Broadway show. He enjoyed reading the obituary section of newspapers because people's stories were preserved with dignity. He comforted family members in difficult times, often sharing his mother's favorite expression: "Memories are forever, and love is eternal."

Robert is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Burt (née Donahue); seven children: Katherine (Patrick) Perkins, Robert Burt, Jr., Patrick James (Kristen) Burt, Colin Burt, Kevin (Ellen) Burt, Sheila (Jerry) Lai, and Brigid Burt; 10 grandchildren: Conor, Elizabeth, and Brendan Perkins, Cian, Declan, Margaret, Joseph, Ronan, Conrad, and Finnegan Burt; three siblings: Edward (Linda) Burt Jr., Suellen (Don) Sues, and Diane Johnston; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Monday, July 11, 4-8 p.m. at Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st St., Orland Park, IL. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 9525 Lawndale Ave., Evergreen Park, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Brother Rice High School Crusader Fund, 10001 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60655: www.brotherrice.org/crusaderfund-payment.