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Robert T. "Bob" Cox

FUNERAL HOME

Donnellan Family Funeral Services

10045 Skokie Boulevard

Skokie, Illinois

Robert Cox Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Robert T. "Bob" Cox
Start: 2018-12-15T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-12-15T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Donnellan Family Funeral Services

Robert T. Cox passed away at home on December 7, 2018, after a brief illness, at age 65. Bob was born in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Roy and Jane. Bob graduated from the International School of Manila, Philippines when the family lived there while his father was on assignment as an executive with Gulf Oil. Bob earned a B.A. in economics from Northwestern University. He was a Director-at-Large with the Northwestern University Alumni Association, chaired the Day With Northwestern Board and was an avid fan of Northwestern football. He had a long career in financial markets, most recently as a vice president in the financial markets group at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He advised the Bank's senior management, and presented to international organizations, on matters involving central counterparty risk and derivatives. Previously, he held executive positions at HSBC in the Americas, and Goldman Sachs in East Asia, with assignments in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. He served as a board member at the Hong Kong Clearing Corporation and the Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX), and he was a member of the Hong Kong Exchange Group's Clearing Consultative Panel. In addition, he was a member of the board of the Futures Industry Association. In his early career he was a member of the Mid America Commodity Exchange in Chicago, where he was Chairman of the Rules Committee and the Membership Committee. Bob's interests were wide. He was a supernumerary at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, traveled extensively and had a strong interest in history, Vikings, Abraham Lincoln and Pearl Harbor (the anniversary on which day Bob passed). He is survived by his loving wife Gail, children Julia and Elliott; brother William (Gail) and their children Emma and Dewey. A memorial celebration will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with memory sharing at 4:00 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard at Old Orchard Road, Skokie IL 60077. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bob's name to HOPE c/o Northwestern Memorial Foundation, 251 East Huron Street Suite 3-200, Chicago, IL 60611 to support the work of Dr. Pat Garcia and the women's HIV clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Info: www.donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Dec. 12, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Cox

50 Entries

Edith Terry

December 10, 2019

I am devastated this morning -- nearly a year later -- to learn of Bob's passing. He was a dear friend in high school in Manila, and we reconnected years later in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Technically I am Elliott's godmother. If Gail, Elliott or Julia read this, could you please get in touch? [email protected].

Katherine Damisch

January 9, 2019

I was just thinking of Bob the other day, and felt that I should honor him here. Bob and I shared season tickets next to each other at Ryan Field for a handful of years. As we got to know each other on Saturdays, he would always shake my hand when I would arrive at my seats. I was always impressed by his knowledge and would laugh at his clever quips commenting on the action. When the 'Cats scored 28 unanswered points in the Holiday Bowl comeback win on New Year's Eve, I immediately knew Bob had a hand in it. There's no doubt in my mind. Rest in Peace, Bob. Section 129, row 58 will feel much emptier in the seasons to come.

Wai Cheong Yeong

December 28, 2018

My sincerest condolences to you, Gail, on the sudden passing of Bob. Gail, we met more than 20 years ago in Singapore when Bob and you were moving into your new apartment along Grange Road. Bob and I were busy setting up SIMEX in those early years. We lost touch when you went back to Chicago, and a mutual friend, Jeff Bernacchi just informed me of the terrible news. I wish your family well and the photos on this gallery showed few when we were all young but I can see Bob and you had a wonderful life.

Gary Schirr

December 26, 2018

Bob was a friendly competitor in Singapore. I remember our once-a-month Friday expat-broker manager beer outings at the Quay.

He was a key reason why my stay in Singapore was so enjoyable.

Gary Schirr

Dale Walther

December 16, 2018

Apart from the separately referenced chance encounter with Gail and Bob at the Northwestern-CAL game which was being played in California, I should also mention the multiple tailgates back in Evanston. I recall Bob and Gail's concern to make sure I was well treated after having just flown in from Alaska for the games. On one occasion Bob, recalling that I had previously raved about his Tandoori dish, made a special effort to have the it available just for me on a subsequent visit. On another occasion he and Gail made sure that I shared in another tailgate entree that was a specialty of Gail's.

Dale Walther

December 16, 2018

I echo the sentiments of so many others who have been touched by their associations with Bob. We are all better persons for having known him. My sympathies go out to Gail and the children Elliot and Julia for whom he was such a loving father as reflected when he spoke of them.

There are so many memories that span the decades. I recall how grateful and delighted he was to receive some small momentos from Alaska that I had sent for his children when the family was still living in the Far East. He was always ready to supply me the latest video tape and later DVD of a Northwestern game that I missed. At one point a professor from another Big Ten School who was writing a book on the subject of college football fans contacted Bob seeking permission to include his experiences as an avid fan and in turn Bob graciously contacted me to see if I was interested in also participating. In a Christmas card greeting he included a reference to my appearance on an episode of Hawaii Five-0 which he and Gail had watched together. Having just learned of his own appearances on the Opera stage I appreciate all the more the personal interest.

Just last month I was in Japan and China and it was Bob who kept me updated on what was happening with the Football team and he even added a sightseeing suggestion for my stay in Shanghai. Bob pioneered the concept of "Taking the Purple" to various locations in the world as seen in some of the video photos that have been posted. Emulating that I "took the Purple" once again to the top of the Great Wall of China which may well have been the added karma that led to Northwestern's first Western Division Championship this Fall.

I don't see a way to post photos here from Photobucket, but here is an attempted link to a thread on one of the Northwestern fan websites which in two my posts (Alaskawildkat) include a series of photos I have taken of Bob and Gail at Northwestern events over the years. (The most recent is of Bob and Gail seated at the Alumni event preceding the Northwestern-CAL game in California where just by chance we ran into each other as an indirect consequence of my having just gotten a telephone call from Hawaii Five-0 casting. I remember joking with Bob and Gail that they probably wanted me for the role of a victim.) Here is the attempted link:

https://northwestern.forums.rivals.com/threads/an-awful-day.42425/

My wife and a number of my children have had the opportunity to meet Bob over the years at various tailgates and bowl game events and they add their condolences.

Susan Rolando Jayne

December 15, 2018

Met Bob when I joined Collins Commodities after graduating from the University of Iowa. To say that Bob had an enormous impact on my career would be an understatement. He helped me navigate the exciting waters of the MidAmerica Commodity Exchange, helping 590 becoming clearing members of the NYCE, introducing me to many crazy traders. He introduced me to MCP and I was able to join them at Continental IL Corp Financial Futures, where we jumped head first into SIMEX. Those were some fun times. Visits with Gail and the kids to the farm in Elgin where our daughters first met - many years later they were both in school in Salt Lake City and realized they had been introduced as children. I will always be grateful to Bob and cherish these memories. What an amazing life to celebrate!!

Stella Prewitt

December 14, 2018

Gail, Elliot and Julia,
We are so, so sorry about Bob. It's hard to believe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love Aunt Stella and Tammie

Gary Shafer

December 14, 2018

Bob was a wonderful human! Our careers crossed many times over our 32 years and Bob was always a kind and caring person. Bob left many close relationships with his passing and he will always be remembered as "the best".

On the way to West Point

Mike Dawley

December 14, 2018

Tour Guide

Mike Dawley

December 14, 2018

Mike Dawley

December 14, 2018

It's been a privilege to have known Bob. So very sad he's gone but will cherish fond memories forever. Rest in peace.

Ananda Radhakrishnan

December 14, 2018

Bob was always a gentleman and a scholar. I have very fond memories of the great conversations we had, usually in cities such as Singapore, Shanghai and Frankfurt. My thoughts and prayers to Gail and their children. I will miss Bob terribly.

Edward Kwan

December 13, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will miss you always.

K C LEONG

December 13, 2018

Bob, you will be remembered, all the good times we shared in Hong Kong, New York, Boca Raton, Chicago, and especially Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, Wildcats vs Badgers at Ryan Field stadium, and your perseverance on the market crash in Hong Kong in 1987. Decades of friendship. We will say, Bob, we miss you, where is the guy who wants to bet which team is going to the Rose Bowl?

Frank Loomis III

December 13, 2018

A TRIBUTE

I was privileged and honored to have been Bobs friend for some 20 years.

We both attended Northwestern and were ardent fans of the schools football team. We met in the 1990s on an internet blog for Northwestern football.

And in consideration of Bobs far east background, on this blog, he was known as the Far East Wildcat. So, I then further dubbed him, FEW.

That caught on, as FEW garnered respect for his insightful posts involving predictions, and fabulously interesting sidelights about the Cats, coaches, and opponents.

Yes, when FEW talked, we all listened.

Though Bob and I had communicated hundreds of times in emails and phone calls, I did not get to meet him in person, until the December 30, 2000, Alamo Bowl, in San Antonio.

He and his lovely wife, Gail, oversaw several of the bowls functions for Northwestern attendees.

In the years that followed, Bob and I continued to talk by phone regularly, especially during football seasons. During those times, it was Just about every other day.

And these calls werent 10 or 15 minute ones but close to one hour talks. Though they mostly concerned our beloved Cats, sometimes we talked politics.

On a Cat game day, hed call me in the morning, and wed give each other a prediction.

As to technical things, Bob was extraordinarily avant-garde. I remember him calling sometime in 2008 or so asking if I had Skype. I had to admit I didnt even know what it was.

Well, he soon remedied my ignorance, and shortly thereafter we were Skyping from Eygpt, London, Mexico, and, of course, times from our homes.

Though I am old enough to have been his father, Bob treated me like a peer. But he always afforded me upmost respect, many times addressing me as, Sir.

In sum, Bob was brilliant. I feel honored and privileged to have known him. He was so gifted, he could have been outstanding at just about any endeavor: doctor, lawyer, judge, senator, scientist, professor, name it.

His presence was commanding and his knack at expression just outstanding. In fact, he was the most articulate person Ive ever known. His booming. beautiful, speaking voice was so impressive.

Its so sad that he has left us so soon.. too soon.

Don Neville

December 13, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person whose friendship never wavered and was always there across time and distance. We will love you and miss you always.

Ken and Rebecca Melchert

December 12, 2018

To suddenly lose our friend of over 45 years was a terrible shock. We had talked with Robert, planning to visit this week. He is truly missed already by so many of us around the globe. Robert was a Renaissance man, celebrating so many diverse facets of life. We remember him translating Beowulf, carrying a spear on the opera stage and broadcasting his beloved Cats. No dinner with Robert and Gail was ever dull, it was always a joy to see them. What a beautiful family! Our thoughts are with you all. Ken & Rebecca Melchert, Adriane, John and Alex

Bob enjoying the 17 Northwestern/Iowa game

Mike Dunn

December 12, 2018

Bob invited me to the Nothwestern/Iowa game last year and was ecstatic that his team was victorious! It was a delightful afternoon and Bob was a gracious host. Ill always remember him in that setting.

December 12, 2018

Bob and his dear friend Don

December 12, 2018

Bob and fellow Wildcat, Larry

December 12, 2018

Bob and Gails 50th Anniversary of Peal Harbor Day party

December 12, 2018

Bob and Gails 50th Anniversary of Peal Harbor Day party

December 12, 2018

Bob as an extra in the opera

December 12, 2018

Hong Kong Years

December 12, 2018

Hong Kong Years

December 12, 2018

Santa Barbara 2016

December 12, 2018

Wishing well of you and your family in this time of loss.Isaiah 57:15

December 12, 2018

Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I hope that words such those found at John 6:40 bring you comfort at this difficult time. CR

Z L

December 12, 2018

My sincere condolences to your family for the loss of your love one. May the God of comfort be with you during this sad occasion and may his loving words at John 6:40 console your heart.