Robert Soderman

Robert Soderman formerly of Mount Prospect for 38 years A memorial service for Robert Soderman will be private. Born May 8, 1921, in Chicago, the son of Edward and Edna (nee Oglesby) Soderman, he died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at his Inverness home, after an illness of several months. Mr. Soderman retired from Jim Beam Distilling in 1983 as vice president, director of marketing and advertising. Bob's passion was researching and writing articles about boxing, baseball and historical events. His articles appeared in publications in England, South Africa and the United States. He was a founding member of the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) and was a noted expert on the early years of Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. He was also an early member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and provided the research that established the revised RBI (runs-batted-in) record for Hack Wilson (191 in the 1930 season). He will be remembered as an extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and generous man. Bob will be deeply missed by his cherished wife of 56 years, Marilyn; beloved daughters, Cheryl Rule and Joy Soderman; dear son-in-law, Rick Zagorski; grandchildren, Holly Rule and Geoff Rule; and many close friends. Bob was also dearest "grandpa" to his precious four-legged grandchildren, Dodger, Dusty, Buddy and the late Holly Berry. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, IL 60010. Arrangements were made by the Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect. Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book at dailyherald.com/obits. For information, (847)255-7800.